My hubby owns a mortgage company out here in good ole So Cal. He sends out a newsletter with great "financial/mortgage" tips every week. He brought this one home the other day. It's hard raising kids in this instant gratification world. They have so much STUFF at their disposal. Here are 7 tips to help teach them about finances.
Disclaimer: There was not an author named on the article or I would have given them credit...it was by The Mortgage Market Guide. Some of the examples I shortened!
7 Ways to Teach Financial Responsibility to Children
If the current economic climate has taught us anything, it's that financial education and responsibility are critical in today's' fast-paced, wired world. All to often, however, children grow up immune to the financial world around them. As a result, they're often ill equipped to manage their own finances when they become adults and leave home.
1. Pay an Allowance
If your children don't have money of their own, it's hard for them to really grasp the value of it. You don't need to pay a lot - a little goes a log way. The most important things is that your children learn the value of completing even small chores around the house to earn their own money.
2. Make a Plan and Set Guidelines
Before you actually start paying the allowance, sit down with your children and set some expectations. Discuss the specific chores and time lines for completing those chores, as well as the amount of money they'll earn for each chore and when they'll be paid. This helps instill a strong work ethic in children as well as drive home the message that money is earned, not given.
3. Save for the Future
Consider implementing a savings rule. Make it a rule to save half or 1/3 of their allowance. Go with them to establish a savings account in their name and then take them to make their deposits. Or, if your children are young, you can decorate a jar to use as a special savings bank at home.
4. Educate on Interest
Once a month, sit with your kids and count how much money they have deposited, how much interest they have earned, and how much they have as a result. Compare the amounts each month, so your children an see the benefits of not only saving, but the benefits of compounding interest.
5. Take Your Children Shopping
Take your kids grocery shopping with you. As you go down your shopping list, have your children help you compare the prices of the different brands, sales and quantities per package. You can also have your children try to keep a running tally and make a guess of what the total cost will be.
6. Set Them Free to Shop
If they need new school clothes. Let them be in charge of their own money and be responsible for paying with their allotted amount. Help them compare prices and let them figure out how many articles they can buy with the amount they have been given.
7. Teach by Example
Remember children are always watching. So if you educate them on saving for purchases and budgeting bit make rash decisions on big ticket items yourself, you may find them learning a different lesson than you intend. So make sure to follow your own rules when it comes to spending, saving and fiscal responsibility.
By Mortgage Market Guide
Want More Followers?
Add your URL to our blog hop! Ends tomorrow night!
Try
Tag-a-Long Tuesday too!
