“Kids are surprisingly aware of what’s going on in the world,” says Eric Tyson, author of Personal Finance for Dummies, 5th Edition (Wiley, $21.99). “And if they don’t know that times are a little bit tough, and Mom and Dad are having to watch their spending, it’s time to tell them. Sheltering kids from financial realities does them no favors.”
A good grasp of personal finance is one of the most valuable skills a person can have, and while previous generations may have been raised with the constant admonishment that “money doesn’t grow on tree,” too many parents today neglect that lesson. Now is the time to change that, and the economic crisis we’re in provides a great incentive for doing so.
“In many ways, a long-term financial slowdown can be a blessing in disguise,” says Tyson. “It leads families to make a budget and stick to it. It forces them to be conscious about how they handle money. That’s good for kids. It shows them how the world is supposed to work.”
Here are a few helpful hints for teaching kids about finances:
Tell them the truth
Kids are perceptive. If you’ve been on edge lately, they’ve noticed. Rather than let them wonder why you’ve been working so much or constantly talking about money, explain to them, on their level, what’s going on in the family’s finance world.
Explain how much things cost
Kids might not understand that hot water costs more than cold water, or that turning up the heat results in higher power bills. This exercise will teach them how to conserve and help the family save money. You can also pile up all the bills for the month and have them look at the amount due on each one. Show them what the family’s cost of living is, and reiterate the areas where they can help reduce the costs.
Realize that kids learn what they live
Parents are their kids’ most influential teachers in life. When you ring up a huge credit card debt, take out mortgages and loans, and fail to save anything, that’s what kids come to see as normal. If parents model unhealthy financial habits, they can’t expect their kids to “do as I say, not as I do.”
An allowance is a great teaching tool
A allowance program can mimic many money matters adults face every day. From recognizing the need to earn money to learning how to responsibly spend, save and invest their allowance, kids can gain a solid financial footing from a young age.
Start them saving and investing early
Have your kids save a significant portion of their allowance toward a long-term goal, such as college. Tyson recommends kids reserve about one-third of their weekly allowance for savings. As they accumulate more significant savings over time, introduce them to the concept of investing.
Reduce their exposure to ads
Cut down on TV time, because when kids are watching TV, they see tons of ads for toys, games, etc. When they do watch TV, put in a movie. If they do see an ad and start talking about how much they want the product, explain to them that there’s never a good time for frivolous impulse spending, adding that it’s especially harmful when money is tight.
Find entertaining ways to teach good money habits
For younger kids, Tyson recommends age-appropriate books such as The Berenstain Bears Get the Gimmies. For older elementary age kids, Quest for the Pillars of Wealth, by J.J. Pritchard, is a chapter book that teaches the major personal finance concepts through an engaging adventure story. Another great tool is the kids’ magazine Zillions, from the publishers of Consumer Reports, which covers money and buying topics. The board games Monopoly and Life are also effective ways to teach kids how to manage money.
Teach them to shop wisely
Family shopping trips are a great way to let your kids see you make decisions based on what the family needs. It also might let them see you use coupons, and they will observe how you pay. These trips teach kids lessons about money, and also the value of product research and comparison shopping.
Explain credit and debit cards
These plastic cards offer a convenient way to make purchases, but, unfortunately, credit cards offer temptation for overspending and carrying debt from month to month. Teach your kids the difference between a credit card and a debit card, and explain to them how each work.
“Explain to them that credit cards should be used sparingly, and then practice what you preach,” Tyson says.
Encourage kids to get a job
Depending on age, kids can do yard work, babysit, or even something as simple as setting up a lemonade stand.
Besides the learning opportunities it presents, there’s another positive to the current financial crisis, says Tyson. It forces families to be more thoughtful about how they spend their time, and this often leads to the stunning realization that money really doesn’t buy happiness.
“Often, the pricey toys we buy for ourselves and our kids, and the lavish vacations we take are simply distractions from the people we love,” Tyson says. “They send the message that it’s necessary to spend a lot of money in order to have a good time. It’s not, of course. The best things in life – friends, family, quiet evenings at home just being together – really are free. Sometimes it’s good to be reminded of that.”
About the author: Eric Tyson is one of the nation’s best-selling personal finance book authors and has penned five national bestsellers. His work has been featured and quoted in hundreds of local and national publications and media outlets.
