Archive for December, 2008

by Alix Montoya

While it is greatly convenient to let the kids have their own credit cards, more and more kids are becoming greatly indiscriminate when it comes to swiping their little plastic cards. The danger is usually very overlooked until it happens, by which time you can find yourself waist deep in credit card debt and your house full of useless junk.

You are definitely in a whole lot of trouble if your kids are like this. So what exactly do you do? Luckily for you, you are their parent and they would do well for few lessons on responsible financial handling from you. So here are a few tips on how to get them started being more responsible in handling cash.

You have to show your kids that money doesn’t fall magically from the skies, it is earned. If your kids are little, you can try giving them a couple of responsibilities around the house and then reward them for a job well done. If they’re a little bit older, you can ask them to find a job or start their own business, I hear West Virginia craft shows are a great way to do that.

Suggest that they should save some of their money. Tell them all about the benefits of opening up a bank account and how interest increases the money they have there. Or you can tell them to start a college fund right away, by saving a percentage of their earnings or allowance for, say, every week or month.

Teach them how to keep a budget. Better yet, plan a budget with them. Let them participate in the household budget with you and you can teach them all about the different expenses that they need to look out for. Of course, they wouldn’t need to worry about some of the things like mortgage yet, but you can teach them a thing or two about setting aside some money for different things in life.

It’s always best to keep our children from letting themselves get caught in a web of overspending, even at a very early age. So why don’t you teach them a thing or two about saving up and you may be saving them from a future filled with debt and junk.

About the Author:

Leave your Comment

by Alix Montoya

If you are a parent, then you know all about the horror stories about kids let loose inside a mall with a credit card. Although, this is probably a stupid idea, especially if your children are shop-a-holics, you still need to look out for those rare moments when they do set out on their own in the commercial jungle.

You can protect them and their, or your, money from these pigs. How? By teaching them all about handling money responsibly. These days, parents are underestimating the power of being a parent, but you can actually teach them a few lessons handling cash, and probably some in life, just by following some of these few simple steps.

One of the many things that you have to make your child understand is that money is something that they can’t take for granted. It is something that is earned with hard work and diligence. If your kids are old enough, you can suggest work for them. Or perhaps even building their own business in Washington craft shows with their hobbies.

Teach them how to save. You as a parent can show your kids the great advantages of having some savings. Tell them all about banks and how money can grow from interest in savings accounts. This will sure pique their interest. You can also suggest that they start out a college fund for themselves as early as today. It’s never too early to prepare for something like that.

Keep a budget. And what better way to teach them about this than by letting them join in on the fun while you’re doing your own budgeting. You are doing your own budgeting, right? Well, if you’re not, do it with them. It’s a good way to lead by example.

Nowadays, kids spending too much is already a given. With all the television advertisements and other commercial tactics all around us, it is inevitable that they get to buy a lot of things. It’s a good thing, therefore, that you can teach them how to become more responsible when it comes to buying.

About the Author:

Leave your Comment