Teaching Your Kids About Money : Part 3

This is a the final article in a three part series titled: Teaching Your Kids About Money, make sure to check out Teaching Your Kids About Money: Part 1 and Teaching Your Kids About Money : Part 2
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• Teach them about budgeting their money—even if they only get a few dollars a week, children can list things they want to do with their money and whether they have the money to get those things. For example, say your child wants to put some money into savings, or buy a toy or a new pair of jeans. Sit down with them and help them a few times to budget, or project how much that particular item will be, and then determine if they have the money, or how much money they need to save in order to get it. Once they know about budgeting their money, it will become easier to manage their money in the future.
• Have family discussions about money—check with them about their money management. Talk with them about any concerns you have and encourage them to talk to you. Having a set time to talk about money issues will also help keep everyone on task. Find out how they’re doing and if they are struggling with saving money. For younger children, you could talk about the difference between cash, checks and credit cards. If you have teenagers, talk with them about the effects of the economy, of inflation verses deflation, how to economize at home and alternatives than spending money, such as borrowing an item, making it yourself, or a one-time rental. Sometimes just opening the door for communication will help with any potential problems or issues that may come up, especially if the child begins a new job or looses one. Talk to your kids about upcoming holiday plans or vacations that require a lot of money. Tell them your plan for saving the money and chances are they will want to save their own money as well.
• Stay out of debt—easier said than done. Debt is a four-letter word for many families and can cause un-needed stress, but if we have our own savings account, occasional spending fund and emergency fund, we are more able to be financially secure, so that when the dishwasher goes out, we have the money to replace it. Having these extra funds will help children learn about the importance of making good financial decisions and insurance against unexpected expenses. Remember, children learn from example and we, as parents, need to try to be good examples of money management.
• Don’t bail out your kids—if your children get into financial trouble, the worst thing you can do is bail them out. If they were saving their money for something they needed and they ended up spending it on something different, don’t get it for them. It may be a costly lesson, but if children have consequences resulting from their actions, they will learn, and the next time, they may choose differently. When they are older, teenagers usually need money for car payments, fuel and maintenance. Again, they need to budget their money so they have enough money to pay for those things. If they run out before they are paid again, they may have to walk or ride their bike, or a bus to work. Most likely, they will be more careful with their money next time.

Money is a fun thing to have, as we are all aware, and teaching children at a young age about money will go a long ways to ensuring that their financial future is the best it can be. For more information, contact your local bank institution for brochures to give to your children. They will have account options that will fit best with their age and other tips in spending and saving wisely.

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