It’s never too soon to start teaching children about money. Whether they’re tagging along with you to the grocery store or watching you make purchases online, children quickly realize that we use money to buy the things we want. You can teach some simple lessons today that will give them a solid foundation for making a lifetime of sound financial decisions.
Start with an Allowance
An allowance is often a child’s first brush with financial independence and a good way to begin learnign how to save money and budget for the things they want. How much you give your children will depend in part on what you expect them to buy and how much you want them to save. Make allowance day a routine, like payday, by giving them a set amount on the same day each week or month.
Help Them Set Financial Goals
Children might not always appreciate the value of putting money away for the future. Help them set age-appropriate short- and long-term financial goals that will serve as incentives for saving money. Write down each goal and the amount that must be saved each day, week, or month to reach it.
Let Them Practice
As children get older, they can become more responsible for paying other expenses (e.g., clothing, entertainment). The possibility of running out of money between allowance days might make them think more carefully about their spending habits and choices and encourage them to budget more effectively.
Take It to the Bank
Piggy Banks are a great way to start teaching young children to save money, but opening a bank savings account will reinforce lessons on basic investing principles such as earning interest and the power of compounding. Encourage your children to deposit a portion of any money they receive from an allowance, gift, or job into their accounts.
Teach younger children some simple lessons today that will give them a solid foundation for making a lifetime of sound financial decisions.
IMPORTANT DISCLOSURES
Wellspring Financial Partners, LLC does not provide tax or legal advice. The information presented here is not specific to any individual’s personal circumstances.
To the extent that this material concerns tax matters, it is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, by a taxpayer for the purpose of avoiding penalties that may be imposed by law. Each taxpayer should seek independent advice from a tax professional based on his or her individual circumstances.
These materials are provided for general information and educational purposes based upon publicly available information from sources believed to be reliable – we cannot assure the accuracy or completeness of these materials. The information in these materials may change at any time and without notice.
