Give the Gift of Financial Literacy - 10 Simple Tips

[Jennifer Griner]

The holidays can be an opportune time to instill financial values in children and grandchildren. Wish lists and gift shopping can help them distinguish between needs and wants. Donations and volunteering introduces them to the concept of giving.


Below are 10 tips to help teach children about financial responsibility, sharing, and the connection between money and values:

1. Be a positive role model.
Children absorb values by observing adult behavior. Set an example, and model a healthy attitude toward work, earning, spending and giving. Keep the role of money in perspective in the family and don’t use it as a means of comparing yourself to others.

2. Understand their environment.
Try to unearth the experiences your children are having with money among their own peer group. Values, attitudes and beliefs are continuously evolving, so it’s important to help your child interpret what he or she may be hearing, seeing and feeling.

3. Establish good behavior.
As soon as your children are ready, set up an age-appropriate allowance for children and a schedule for dispensing it between savings, spending and giving. For teens and college students, consider giving them an allowance to last over several months and let them have a chance to allocate it over time.

4. Talk about money.
Talk openly about money in the family. Do not treat the topic of money as taboo. A candid, honest and ongoing dialogue about money in the household can help children develop healthy attitudes and learn valuable lessons.

5. Make it fun.
Talking about money doesn’t have to feel formal or dull. Window shopping and trips to the library can teach important lessons about needs vs. wants and borrowing. Many classic board games like Monopoly, Life and Payday are springboards for basic lessons in finance.

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