5 things to teach children about money

Do you wish you had learned how to handle money earlier? It’s not too late for you to change how your own children view their finances. Here are five things that can get you started.

The mistake many parents make is to give their children money without making them work for it. Some children even get the equivalent of a starter salary as allowance. This develops into a very dangerous kind of entitlement and inability to appreciate the value of money.

Outline specific chores/activities for them to do to make money. With older kids stretch the boundaries of these things beyond the house and in fact, let them give you ideas on what they can do to earn money. They are never too young to start. Even if they can’t count money, the concept of working to earn it can still be introduced.

Sh1,000 only has value because you associate it with something you can buy. You know what it can do because you have experienced spending it. Many kids don’t actually know what things cost. Go to the shops with them.

Let them buy something with their hard earned money. Let them see the things they can’t afford. My son was once mortified to realise that the toy he wanted would cost a lot more than the Sh200 he had earned.

BUY WHAT YOU CAN AFFORD

Let them experience this limitation so they understand what they actually have to do. Even though you can, do not rush to save them by topping up what they don’t have.

Let them learn not to spend it all. If more of us had learned to save early, we would have avoided a lot of problems. If we can teach this to our kids, it can become the norm for them. This is essential in a world that is constantly idolising consumption and not retention.

This is even more powerful if you link the saving to a goal. This has to be their goal not yours so that they own it and they are motivated to see it through. Not only are they learning the foundation of wealth creation through saving but they are working towards something. Do not raid their piggy bank just because you know they have some money.

Believe or not, many teenagers have confessed to us that this happens and becomes a deterrent for them to save.

On Sunday many parents give their children offering money for church. Turn this around and let it now be their own money. If you give them ‘money to give’ all their lives, when they do earn their own money don’t expect them to automatically become givers.

It’s not about the amount, it is about the principle and instilling the value of giving. This could be to church, a fund raiser, a relative you are helping, etc. Over the holidays, get them to give their time towards something more than just having fun. Let them start experiencing at an early age that they can make a difference.

Remember they are observing what you do with money and how you talk about money. Our money beliefs, behaviours and attitudes came from somewhere and usually it is what we saw as we were growing up. Lead by example. Let them see you talking about money and making decisions.

Do house shopping with them. If they can, let them re-calculate the bill in a restaurant. Let them accompany you to the bank. In summary, get them involved.