We all know that the earlier you start learning a language, the easier it will be to master it. Learning any foreign language at the age of 4 is much easier than at the age of 40. The same applies to managing your money. The younger we begin discussing the value of money the more lilkely they will grow up with a better appreciation for handling it.
3 LESSONS
Lesson 1: Allow your children to work. It is very important for your children to understand that money comes from work. - Not from mom and dad's wallet. The more your children understand the principle of cause and effect, and what can be achieved, the easier it is to get them to grasp the concept. At a very young age, you can start teaching them the relationship of work with money. They can tidy up the game room, take out trash, and collect clothes for washing. There are a million things to do. Just make sure it matches their ages. Don't let your five-year-old mow the lawn.
And pay them for what they accomplish. Let your children know that in the real world you will not get cash without working. You will only make money when you work. From there you can let them buy whatever you want with the money they have earned.
Lesson 2:, Allow your kids to make mistakes in using their own budget. Many adults make mistakes and it costs them dearly because when they were young they were not put in a position to make mistakes in simple things. Today's tears will prevent crying later. Kids will inevitably make some stupid choices with their money. They'll spend it on things that they wish a week later that they never bought. As their parent, you'll sometimes need to allow them to make that mistake and suffer from its consequences. It is the way they learn.
Lesson 3:Teach your kids how to make saving a habit by helping them create a system for their money. How many adults you know are saving regularly and steadily? But here is a basic financial fact, the A: If you don't save money, you won't have money. Teach your children that saving is the first thing they need to do when making money. And spending is what you do with whatever is left after the money has been saved someplace else. One of the reason that so many people get in trouble with credit cards and debt is that they have not learned this lesson. Take the time to teach them this, as it will pay dividends for them in the future.
The amount they save will depend on what they want to buy. It is better for them to learn how to save money now - while they are being supported, rather than wind up in the situation of having to continue to support them later on for longer than you planned. So get started today and begin helping your kids become fluent in the language of money and how to deal with it.
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The ARIES Foundation for Financial Education, Inc is a nonprofit dedicated to the mission of Helping Everyone Have A Better Relationship With Their Money.