How (And Why) You Should Teach Your Kids To Be Money Smart

Have you ever heard that it is easier to teach things to kids than adults? It's true. This goes for money, too. If you want your kids to save more than they spend, start at an early age. Here are some tips:

Play games that involve the use of money. Games like Monopoly that force players to make financial decisions are a great way for kids to learn to use real money. Decisions made by kids like negotiating prices and determining when it is best to buy or sell a property make children think about both the future and the present effects this will have on their cash reserves.

It's easy to forget about money matters when the parents are footing the bill for everything. A five dollar magazine didn't seem so expensive then. But when they have to pay for it themselves, more thought goes into the process. They'll think about whether they really need that magazine or not.

Instead of allowing children to become obsessed with wearing expensive clothing of some popular brand name, take kids clothes shopping at consignment shops and inexpensive department stores like Target or Wal-Mart. Talk to them about how to evaluate and compare the prices of clothes as meander through the shopping racks. It would be wise to explain that there really is no problem with owning some name brand clothing, but filling your entire wardrobe with it is extremely and expensive and not necessary.

Take your kids to the grocery store with you. Let them help you make out the grocery list and clip the coupons. As you bargain shop, tell the kids what you are doing. You don't have to go into great detail; just give them an overview of the process.

Practice what you preach. Children learn by observing adults, and you will be giving your kids a very bad example to follow if you make impulsive purchases every time you have some extra cash. Control your spending and stick to your budget so that your children learn to do the same.

Get a piggy bank. Coins are money too and children can learn to save up all their loose change in a piggy bank. Kids can pick out a coin bank that they like and start saving their money.

You'll be surprised how quickly the coins will collect. I find coins on the floor and in the couch cushions all the time. Every three months or so, take a trip to the coin machine in the grocery store and find out how much you have saved. The kids can put a portion of their money away for savings and keep the rest to use as they wish.

Learning how to use money is a trial and error kind of process. The money that you give to your kids or that they earn is their money. As a parent, you can advise them how to act, but they must deal with the good choices and the consequences of poor ones. Lessons learned will speak more than scolding.

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