Decision-Making In Home Management
Making decisions for efficient home management can be very difficult. It could mean being firm even if it hurts the feelings of a family member, or even depriving a family member or some privileges for the good of the rest. It means having to cut down on certain family luxuries to be able to make ends meet. Decisions are often made regarding the following matters at home:
Discipline. When our parents set rules regarding curfew, watching television on weekdays, or going out with friends, they expect us to follow these rules. When we deliberately disregard the rules, our parents have to impose sanctions. They may decide to limit our privileges like prohibiting weekend meetings with your friends or banning television for a certain period. Limits imposed by parents help put a structure to our lives.
Prioritizing expenses. The family expenses for a given period are generally classified into Needs and Wants. Needs are expense items that the family members cannot do without. Needs include food, housing, health maintenance, and education of the children.
o Wants are expenses for the family’s recreation, relaxation, and comfort. Procurement of these items can be postponed until such time that the family has extra funds aside from those set aside for Needs. Wants include fancy clothes, recreational appliance like television sets and stereos, out-of-town trips for vacations, and cosmetics.
o When the family budget is limited, the expenses are limited to the Needs. Additional funds that may result from increased income of bonuses may permit the family to give in to their Wants. Even then, the expense items categorized under Wants should be prioritized according to their benefits to the family. For example, a family get-together for a sick grandparent may be more meaningful than the purchase of a new stereo set for the family.
Maximizing the use of available space. When living space is limited, decisions have to be made on who will share sleeping and storage areas. It is ideal for parents to consult their children on this matter to arrive at an arrangement that is acceptable to everyone.
Planning meals. With a limited budget for family expenses, it is important to be able to decide on what food to serve the family. Homemakers should be guided by this basic rule: buy foods that are high in nutritive value but are inexpensive.
Decision-making in home management can indeed be very difficult but it is manageable especially if the family members are cooperating. It is always good that each member knows his or her responsibilities, limitations and priorities.
