Teaching Children About Money Maine

All parents wants their children to be happy and successful. Teaching children about money from a young age is one way to ensure their financial success in later life. Even very young children can be taught about money, by words and actions.

1. Realize that your children will imitate you. This is a case of needing to practice what you preach! To some extent, it doesn't matter what you say if your actions do not match. If you are talking to your kids about saving money, save money yourself instead of making impulse buys. You're investing in the next generation.
2. Start allowances young. Very young children can get a small allowance, which increases as they get older and more responsible. As they handle money and begin learning what it can buy, they will understand the value of money.
3. Set goals with your children. Although it is hard for a child to put off buying a toy or some candy, help your child understand what he or she can buy with allowance saved for one week, two weeks, three weeks, or a month.
4. Help your children save money. While your children are still young, open a savings account for them. Explain how interest basically works so that they have an incentive to save money. Better yet, offer to match funds - if your child deposits $7, you agree to deposit another $7.
5. Budget together. Although you may not want to get the spreadsheets out, you can help even your young children write down how much they spend on a toy or a candy bar in a notebook. This way, they will learn to keep track of their money. Older children and teenagers can be given a larger allowance with more responsibilities such as buying toiletries and paying for bus fare, after working out a budget along with you....

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Author: Bronwyn Harris