Wednesday, 27 April 2011

Kids Need To Learn How To Save Money

By Jack Wogan


Children have no real idea about the value of money; one important step in their education should be learning about money and the importance developing healthy financial habits. As soon as children are old enough to count and understand the denominations, parents should endeavor to teach them about saving money, investing it or spending it wisely.

We need to help our children prepare for the financial world they will have to face when they grow up. Therefore, we must help them grow up with healthy financial habits, such as saving the money they get and investing it wisely. As soon as they are old enough to understand denominations and learn to count, we need to explain our kids why it is so important to save and invest money and how they can do it.

Teach children they can invest and share money as well, this is a very important lesson as well. And you can always make it fun, as children will always be attracted to something that is fun to the detriment of a must-do activity. The good old piggy bank still works and it is always fun for kids to have one. Motivation is also important: if there is something they target, like a toy, or a game, children will be more prompted to save money. You can use a list of things they want versus thing they need to teach children the difference between needs, wants and wishes and how to prioritize their expenses.

Money comes with decision-making obligations. Our children need to be educated, motivated and empowered to become savers and will allow them save more of the money they earn and do more with the money they spend. Here are a few simple ways at hand that help educate children about personal finance and managing money.

Use a piggy bank; the concept is old but it can still work and, most of all it's fun. If you have two or more kids, buy identical piggy banks and make it a game to see who saves more. Set a goal for the children, they will pay more attention to saving money if they know this is to buy some specific toy or book, or anything that is important to them. Teach your children to draw a list of things they need and things they want to prioritize their expenses. Take them to the bank and open a savings account for them. Take them shopping and tell them how to buy smart. This can also be fun. Kids will learn how to manage money easily and quickly if the entire family is involved. You can make budgeting and spending a family activity rather than just laying down the rules for kids.

Kids can be easily encouraged to save money if parents have the patience and ingenuity it takes to do this. There are many smart and fun ways to teach children this lesson. There are activities, games, printables or books that have saving money as their central theme. The important thing is to communicate with children, explain, show them how saving money works and how grown-ups do it in the real life. Make it fun, don't make a must-do out of this, because children will be driven away. Teach children how they can invest and share money as well, this could be a very valuable lesson.




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