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| photo courtesy of expertbeacon.com |
“Tell me, and I forget. Teach me, and I remember. Involve me and I learn.”
-Benjamin Franklin
Do you remember how you learned about money? Think back! My grandfather used to pull out change from his pocket, have us name the coin and its value, and then have us make a given monetary amount with what we had available. Later on, my mother and I created an arrangement where I would clean the house for a certain sum of money. Soon after that started, she took me down to the hometown bank and opened up a checking account for me. She walked me through how to write a check and how to balance a checkbook.
Though these are great ways to teach a child the value of money, they aren’t the only things you can do. Here are some other ideas:
Play the Grocery Game: Give your child a fixed amount of money and a list of things needed at a local food back. Challenge your child to buy as much as they can with that fixed amount of money. For an older child, you can give them your grocery list and have them work out the cost and compare places and prices.
Need/Want Game: As you and your child are looking through a magazine together, ask your child if a particular item is a need or want and why. You can also have your child identify needs and wants while they walk through the store with you. It is important for children to know that a need is something essential, while a want is nonessential, and the significance of spending on a want instead of a need.
Let Them Adopt a Budget Line: Give your child a single budget category for a month and let them manage it. It’s advised that you choose a category where you can control how much or how little is spent, like groceries, education, and vacation. The child can do research online and find the best way to spend the money. This not only helps illustrate the concept of a budget, it allows the child to see their choices in action.
Show Them How to Use Budget Tools: There is an endless number of budgeting tools out there. Teach your child how to use a budgeting tool to help them understand the value of a budget and why it’s necessary to track all expenses.
Let Them Make Mistakes: We all make mistakes, and we tend to make a bit more of them when we’re learning! Let your child make mistakes, and, most importantly, let them see the consequences. Talk with your child about the consequences, and what could have been done to avoid them.
No Bailout: Resist the urge to help your child pay for the last few dollars of a purchase. Consistently bailing out your child sets up a future of bailouts, and it also diminishes the child’s effort and any feelings of accomplishment they have from paying for it by themselves.
Open A Youth Savings Account at HCCU: We have youth savings account at HCCU that have a special reward attached to them--a toy! Each time a child makes a deposit in their account, they get to choose a toy out of our treasure chest. As the child gets older, they have the option to open a Student Checking, or perhaps have an ATM or Debit Card. See a Member Service Representative for details!
We cannot stress enough how important it is for children to learn how to spend, save, and invest their money wisely. If they develop the good habits when they are young, they are far more likely to manage their finances successfully as adults. Because we believe success is on your and your child’s horizon, we are more than willing to help educate you and/or your child about the “tools and rules” that come with an HCCU membership. You can always call 920-433-0122 or visit your nearest branch if you have any questions.
Written By: Breanna B.
Sources:
Investopedia--5 Ways to Teach Your Kids The Value Of A Dollar
Investopedia-- Teaching Financial Literacy to Kids
