Teaching kids about money
Raising your kids to be smart with money gives them a vital life skill.
As a parent, you have the power to shape your children’s relationship with money. Start early by showing them how to budget, how to spend wisely and how to set savings goals.
Below is an excellent article we came across, filled with great advice and tips to help you with your child/ren, provided by the wonderful resource hub at moneysmart.gov.au.
Show them money
With credit cards, tap-and-go, and online banking and shopping, kids don’t often see actual money changing hands. This ‘invisible’ money makes it easier for them to think money is unlimited, rather than something that has to be earned.
Being able to see notes and coins can make it easier for kids to grasp the concept of money. Handing over money in exchange for something can give them a sense of what things actually cost.
You can also make money more visible to your kids by talking about money. Set a good example by spending money responsibly and avoiding unnecessary debt.
Show your kids where money goes
Use everyday situations to teach your kids about money, including where it comes from and where it goes.
At the bank
Explain that the cash from ATMs isn’t ‘free money’. They only give you money that you’ve made by working and saving. Show your kids that this money is from your bank account. Explain that each time you take money out, you have less money in your account.
While shopping
While shopping, teach your kids how much things cost by showing them:
• different prices for similar items
• how to compare deals
• how to work out which items are better value
• how to work out price differences and discounts
When paying bills
Show your kids an electricity bill or a phone bill. Explain how many hours or days you had to work to pay that bill.
This will help them start to see the connection between work and the cost of things.
Get kids involved in money decisions
As your kids get older, get them involved in budgeting, saving and spending.
Check deals
Work with your kids to research online or shop around to find the best value for something they want.
Plan an event
Involve your kids in planning and budgeting for an outing or a birthday party. Work through all the costs with them, including transport, food or tickets.
Do a budget
Do the family budget with your kids. Explain how much money you have each week and how it’s spent. They’ll start to get a sense of the cost of living and how long it takes to save.
If they earn some of their own money, help them create their own budget.
Give kids pocket money
Pocket money can help children to understand the value of money. You can choose to pay them for certain tasks, for example:
• mowing the lawn
• vacuuming the house
• washing the car
• taking the rubbish out
• cooking dinner or making school lunches
• hanging out and bringing in the washing
• packing and unpacking the dishwasher
• walking the dog
Make sure you withhold or reduce their pocket money if the tasks are not done or not done properly. This helps to teach kids that they only get paid when work has been done to a certain standard.
Encourage your kids to save
Learning to save is a vital money lesson.
Piggy banks and bank accounts
Piggy banks are great for younger kids. They can see the money they’re putting away and watch it grow as they save.
Opening a savings account is a good way to introduce kids to banking, saving and interest.
Needs versus wants
Discuss the difference between ‘needs’ and ‘wants’, and encourage your kids to think about these before spending their money.
When older kids get their first job, they’re often tempted to spend all their money at once. Show them how to track their spending to see where all their money is going.
Set money goals
Help your kids avoid impulsive purchases by teaching them to set goals and to prioritise what they spend their money on.
Share their money
Encourage your kids to donate some of their savings to charity. This teaches them that money can be used to help people, and is not just for buying things.
Article source: https://moneysmart.gov.au/teaching-kids-about-money