Live like you're broke!

During our journey to be debt free we got a great piece of advice from the man who set up Daryl's college fund. He said the best thing you can do for your kids is raise them like you are broke. He then explained that when his two boys were growing up their one summer vacation was always a long road trip, new toys were only for Christmas and birthdays and new clothes were only for the new school year.
At first we followed this advice out of necessity, we were squeezing debt payments out of every penny. The boys had Craigslists Christmases and the only eating out we did was to Wendy's. Now that we are finishing up our 3-6 month emergency fund we have extra disposable income, but our boys have NO IDEA. They still hear regularly, "that's not in the budget," and really whatever they are begging for is not in the budget. :-)
Kelly and I really didn't know the impact living like this has had on our young sons. Then it kinda of showed itself in an unexpected way.
For no reason other than Kelly and I were both craving wings last weekend we loaded the boys up in the car and took them to Buffalo Wild Wings. No special reason and no plan for it at the beginning of the week to reward for good behavior. First thing that struck them was all of the TVs, we only have one, so that was pretty cool to them. It didn't strike me as odd but when Kelly and I ordered an appetizer for all of us to share the boys got really excited. Their kid meals came and I told them if they finished their food they could each have ice cream. That did it, three course meal, they were over the moon. They ate all their food and all their ice cream. They flirted with the waitress and stayed in their seats the whole time.
Alex said it was the best night ever and they both talked about it days after. Kelly and I living below our means is paying off in ways we never anticipated. The boys will appreciate things others will take for granted. They will also understand how special treats are.
We will have to lay low for awhile again because they did have a treat again this weekend. Grandma Rosie took them bowling at Gage bowl. Alex loves bowling! At first Daryl was getting frustrated but by the end of the second game he had gotten the hang of it and was loving it too. He didn't like using the dinosaur so the second game he was throwing his ball down the lane.
It has been a great year so far!