Money is something that people either love or fear. Predictably, these attitudes are instilled in us at an early age, one way or another.
If you want your kids to grow up with positive habits and ideas about money, it all begins with what you teach them. There's no reason that every day in your house can't be a lesson about money.
To show them the ropes, start with the following strategies:
Have a Family Store
What better way is there to teach kids money than to have them save up and buy their own items?
You can have them do this in your home before you ever set foot inside an actual store. Stock up on some of the goodies they enjoy and teach your kids what it means to work toward something that they want. Have business hours for the store and facilitate the transactions accordingly.
This will not only teach your kids the value of a dollar, it gives them the chance to learn how to make choices, while also exercising their math skills.
Teach Them About Credit Early
Keeping credit up to par is a fact of life that your kids will have to learn one day. Whether they're dealing with student loans, purchasing a house or consumer debt, they'll want to start compiling a high credit score as early as possible.
If you have a teenager, you can even consider getting them started building their credit score with a secured credit card or another entry-level credit line. By choosing the best credit card, you'll be able to get them started without exposing them to high interest rates.
Aside from actually opening a credit line, make sure that you teach your kids all about borrowing and lending, stressing the importance of paying debts back on time. This will prevent them from developing bad habits, and will teach them to borrow only when they need it.
Make Allowance Mean Something
Parents have different philosophies about allowance, but it's important that you understand its importance. For one, allowance is excellent when it comes to teaching your kids all about money management.
Make sure that their allowance is the same day each week, and that you keep a log of their payments. Follow behind your child to make sure that they are putting their allowance in a safe place and helping them think through any decisions they make with it.
Most importantly, stress that they don't have to spend it just because they have it. Teaching them the value of saving for a rainy day will be huge and ensure that they don't end up in bad financial situations.
Consider these tips when teaching your kids some solid financial values.
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