ENGAGING WAYS TO TEACH KIDS ABOUT MONEY MANAGEMENT
Chances are, we’ve all made a few “less than wise” financial decisions in our lives. Teaching our children about financial responsibility can save them some of the pain we went through when our eyes were bigger than our wallets. Although we’re not qualified to dish out parenting advice, we do know a thing or two about healthy financial habits. Here are a few engaging ways to teach practical money management skills to your kids—with no graphs or charts required.
SAVE MONEY IN CLEAR JARS
Although piggy banks are a quintessential part of childhood, you may want to opt for clear jars instead. Your kids will see their jar get fuller after each contribution they make, which is a great visual reminder of how saving a little at a time can pay off big down the road.
ALLOW THEM TO RUN A LEMONADE STAND
Letting your kids set up a table on the sidewalk and put their sales skills to the test teaches a range of valuable lessons. For example, supply and demand, profits versus costs, and even a little bit of marketing. All are great concepts that will help them learn the value of the dollar.
PAY CASH FOR CHORES
Many financial experts advise against a traditional allowance system. Give your kids a few easy chores around the house and reward them with a fair wage. The lesson here is simple: Good work is rewarded with good pay.
USE WISH LISTS
Creating a wish list teaches children that not everything they want will come easy. If your kids create a list of items to work toward, they will learn about delayed gratification and goal-setting, too.
SET SAVINGS GOALS FOR FAMILY ACTIVITIES
Family vacations are awesome for relaxing and making memories, but showing your children that vacations need to be saved for is just as valuable. Involve them in the saving process as best as you can, and make sure to show them how a lot of small contributions help reach larger savings goals.
PLAY BOARD GAMES TO TEACH LESSONS
Aside from starting lasting sibling rivalries, some board and card games can teach your children how money is actually a finite resource. Not being able to afford something can be a foreign concept to children, so starting them off with a limited supply of fake money helps ease them into this realization.
HOLD A YARD SALE
Start a small business right in your front yard. There’s no better way to show your kids the value of things they might take for granted while learning money management skills.
TAKE THEM GROCERY SHOPPING
While picking up items for your next family meal, make a point to show your children that each item costs a certain amount of money. This helps give kids a new perspective on where their food comes from while teaching them that even life’s most basic necessities aren’t free.
UTILIZE ONLINE RESOURCES
There is a plethora of online resources designed to teach kids the value of the dollar. A simple search can help you find fun games and videos that teach valuable lessons about money and how to spend it.
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
It’s a cliché, but the truth is that your kids learn from your example more than anything—so no pressure. By teaching basic financial skills to your children, you’re doing your part in building a better future. Believe it or not, you are raising tomorrow’s leaders. Nobody said it would be easy, but we know you’ve got this.
The experts at Renasant Bank want to support you and your family to financial wellness. Check back into our Renasant Nation updates for tips and insights into financial best practices. If you are in need of a new bank to support your personal and professional success, open an account online or contact the experts at Renasant Bank today!