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Money Behavior: How Kids Learn From Their Parents

As a parent, you probably want nothing more than to see your child grow up and become successful and happy. To do that, you want them to have the best possible money habits. Financial literacy is key to achieving that goal. Unfortunately, parents can’t exactly force their kids to learn about money (although there are plenty of ways you can try!).

Instead, parents need to find ways to encourage a love for personal finance in their children from an early age. Luckily, there are many things parents can do to help their kids develop sound financial habits. This article will give you some advice on how you can help your offspring build a healthy relationship with money from the earliest age possible.

Establish a Savings Habit Early

Young children have a natural curiosity about how the world works, and money is no exception. You can take advantage of this curiosity to help your kids build savings habits early. You might want to start by encouraging your child to save up for something special, like a trip to their favorite theme park or a new toy. This will make the idea of saving money less about “good vs. bad” and more about the natural process of setting a goal and working toward it.

As your kids grow, you can help them open a savings account and put their allowance into it. Even if your children don’t become expert savers, setting up an account as a young child can help them get used to the idea of saving money. It might even make them less likely to be impulsive spenders when they are older.

Talk About Money Often

Kids are sponges: they absorb everything around them. This makes talking about money a great way to introduce your children to the world of personal finance. Just like you might talk to your kids about the weather or fashion, you should also make a habit of talking to them about money. You can do this in many different ways. For example, You can have a family money meeting once a month. During the meeting, you can talk about your family budget, how you are saving for the future or anything else that might be relevant to your financial situation.

Another option is to make a “money jar” with your kids. Put some money in a jar every month and let your kids talk about it each time you put some more money in the jar. Whatever method you choose, make sure to keep the conversations around money casual. You don’t want to make the subject of finance seem like a chore for your kids. Instead, you want your kids to see talking about money as a normal and even enjoyable part of everyday life.

Help Your Child Build a Budget

If your child is attending college, they will probably need to create a budget. If your child is still in high school, they will also likely have to create a budget. It’s never too early to help kids get used to budgeting. You can start by setting up a simple budget with your child.

Remember, they don’t have to follow it exactly, but they should understand why it’s important to stick to a budget. If your child is still in high school, you can also help them apply for a credit card. As long as your child is responsible about how they use the card, it is a great way to help them build credit.

You can also help your child set up an allowance. An allowance is a great way to teach kids about how money works. If your child gets an allowance, they will learn to manage their cash, save for special occasions, and understand the value of a dollar.


Conclusion

Helping your child become financially literate is an important part of their development as a person. This is a skill that will last a lifetime, which is why it is so important to start as early as possible. The best way to encourage your child to learn about money is by talking about it often.

You should also help your child set up a budget and encourage them to save up for special occasions. By following these simple tips, you can help your child develop a lifelong appreciation for personal finance and a healthy relationship with money.

If you are interested in teaching your children the importance of financial literacy, Kiddie Kredit can help you. Kiddie Kredit is a mobile app designed to educate children on a credit system by completing chores. Get your children to learn responsibility and learn the value of money in the process. Download the app now!

Evan Leaphart

Evan Leaphart is the founder and CEO of Kiddie Kredit and the co-founder of Black Men Talk Tech. He creates online curriculums for schools, organizations, and families to teach children about the fundamentals of finance.