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As parents, it’s our job to provide a stable living for our children. We buy them everything they need to make them comfortable – from the essentials to time wasters like video games. Sometimes, parents focus so much on taking care of their children that they can end up in debt. No shock there as kids are expensive!
It’s just yet another problem we need to get around. If only there was a way to get your children involved in your expenses to help the family. Wait, there is…
Teach Your Children About Family Finance!
Luckily, there is a way for your children to get involved and teach them the value of money in the process. Sounds too good to be true, right? A young age is a perfect time to instill the importance of saving money. But for them to understand it fully, you need to be an example. Here are a few ways you can get your children involved in your family’s finance:
Communication is Key
Explain to your children the importance of money as soon as they are old enough to understand. Doing this allows them to comprehend what you do to earn your money and why spending it wisely is important.
Another way is to let them know exactly why you can’t do something. For example, explain why you cannot eat out; because you have food at home that would be wasted if it was not eaten.
Remember that your children are young, and they will question anything and everything that you say. You know, they are broken records. So, be patient and answer their questions as best as you can.
Set an Example
The best way to teach your children is to be a good example. You can’t go off telling them how they can’t have a candy bar from the store but you go ahead and splurge on Starbucks. If you tell your children that they cannot have a treat, you should also not have anything. It’s only fair.
This lets your children know you are a team and everyone is doing their part to save money as much as they can.
Save on Utilities
Another thing that can help is to teach your children to conserve utilities. Make sure they turn off faucets, lights, and electronics when they aren’t using them. Doing this one small thing can go a long way!
Let them Earn Money
The best way to drive home the point that money does not grow on trees is to let your children make their own money.
Once they are old enough, and they say that they want a new PlayStation game that’s coming out, don’t buy it for them. Instead, tell them to save up for it. Allow them to budget their allowance, or have them do chores around the house and earn some money.
Talk to neighbors who want to get some yard work done and volunteer your child to do it for them. It helps build your kid’s character and allows them to experience the joy of working for their hobbies.
And when they become teenagers or older, convince them to get a job and start a savings account to help them get a jump start they need for adulthood. You know like for that car they are dying to get their hands on – with saving they will be driving the car of their dreams in no time.
Of course, these techniques aren’t foolproof, but they are a great way to help improve your finances. Not only will you be teaching your child to be independent moneywise; you’ll be investing in their future.
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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