Teaching kids about money is part of being a good dad or mom. Because if you don’t, somebody else will, and there’s a good chance that somebody else will have no idea what they’re talking about.
Here’s how you can give your kids a head start and set them up to win with money at any age.
(1) Be a financial role model
You can show your children how you save and spend money in several ways. Bring them to the bank when you make a deposit or an investment. Use coupons at the grocery store. Demonstrate how you choose one product over a similar, yet more expensive one, so that you stretch your dollar more effectively. And of course, show your children how, because you saved, you now have the ability to purchase something special that you would not have been able to afford had you been more careless with money.
(2) Allow children to manage money
Do you give your child an allowance? Or, do you allow your children to earn money for extra jobs, beyond their typical chores or contributions, that they do around the house? Allowing your children to handle small amounts of money provides them with the opportunity to manage money within safe parameters.
Think of it this way. Wouldn’t you rather that your children learn valuable lessons about spending too much for a junky toy now rather than waiting and having them learn them as adults when the rent check bounces?
(3) Teach your children to divide up their money
Children should learn at an early age that all money should not go in one big spending pot. We got each of our children a piggy bank that separates money into 4 pots: spend, save, give and invest.
What percentage will they save? What would they like to invest in longterm? And how much of their money will they save each year?
Determining how they will handle their money in advance gives them something to shoot for as well as a strong understanding of the different jobs money can do. By taking the time to include your children in some appropriate financial decisions while teaching them the value of money in an enjoyable manner, your children will be well on their way to cultivating a healthy relationship with dollars and cents.
