teaching kids about money

Being raised by Greek immigrant parents, I learned at a very young age the value of a dollar. I remember how hard my parents worked to earn, and more importantly, save their money.

Now having children of my own, I know the importance of teaching my children about money, and the value of money.

But money is still considered a taboo topic by one quarter (27 per cent) of parents! Only one-third (33 per cent) of Canadian parents first talked to their children about money management before they turned 10 years old. That number seems low, doesn’t it?

It’s never too early to talk to your children about money and financial responsibility. Start as soon as they’re able to count and make money the topic of regular family discussions. Who better than parents to start the money management conversation to help their children develop smart money skills that can set them up for a more secure financial future?

With more young adults finishing post-secondary education with huge student loans, or saving up to buy a new car or house, it’s important to teach kids about spending, saving and personal finance.

Compared to our own parents, today expenses seem to be at an all-time high. Children see their parents opening their wallets more often, but they also need to realize money doesn’t grow on trees! Far too often I see parents giving their kids everything they ask for – don’t feel guilty about saying no!

This is the perfect chance to teach them the difference between needs and wants, and that they may have to wait to buy something they want. This will help encourage them to budget and save their money, make sensible spending decisions. They’ll feel the joy and sense of reward when the money they’ve saved can finally be used on an item they’ve been wanting to purchase.

For Financial Literacy Month this November, Paul Orlander, Senior Vice President of Personal Savings and Investing at TD Canada Trust, and co-chair of TD’s Financial Education Council, offers the below guidelines to help parents tailor money lessons to each child’s age and developmental stage.

Teaching Kids About Money by Age

Under 6 years old

At this stage, children are interested in the different shapes and colours of money. Handling real money can help them learn more about it. So, give your child some shiny coins they can put in a jar or piggy bank to watch their savings grow. Although preschoolers may be too young to understand the concept of money, they are learning to count, and have a basic knowledge of quantities. Make the experience of adding to the jar a big deal and as the number of coins grows, swap them occasionally for the equivalent amount in crisp bills.

6 to 9 years old

Generally, seven- and eight-year-olds understand the concept of saving, but they might not yet understand what’s fully involved in paying for all the latest and greatest toys they want. The balance of saving and spending can be reinforced by giving your children a small allowance, perhaps earned through set chores, explaining to them how long it will take to buy something they really want. Children at this age have usually grasped basic math skills like addition and subtraction, which can help them learn the value of money.

10 to 15 years old

Teach pre-teens how to use their bank account, such as making deposits and withdrawals, and responsibly use a debit card. They might start to earn their own money through odd jobs or babysitting, so now might be time to ask them to cover some of their own expenses. Teens are often developing their plans for the future – looking ahead to college, university or a big trip – so it’s a perfect time to introduce them to the concept of setting financial goals and investing early to take advantage of compound interest. It is also important to teach teens about the importance of credit and how a credit card works.

16 to 18 years old

Your child may be less financially dependent on you now, especially as they start earning more money through a part-time or summer job. They also may be taking on more responsibility to pay for regular bills, such as monthly mobile payments, and saving for bigger purchases, such as a car. Sharing the family budget will help your teen learn about real-world costs and keep their expectations in line with your family’s financial reality. Furthermore, sit down with your child and help them set up their own budget tracker, so they too can track where their money is going and how to set spending priorities. Saving for retirement early and for a rainy day are other topics of discussion to consider having at this age.

Check out TD’s Smart Money Toolkit for more tips and resources to help them educate their children on smart money management practices!

Disclosure: This post is proudly sponsored by TD Canada Trust. As always, the opinions expressed herein are my own.

“Mom, can we buy a Ferrari?” Oh child, how you need to learn about money!

Being raised by Greek immigrant parents, I learned early about the value of a dollar as my parents worked hard to earn, and more importantly save their money. Any suitable opportunity I have to teach my children about money, and the value of money, I do.

With more young adults finishing post-secondary education with huge student loans, or saving up to buy a new car or house, it’s important to teach kids young about treating money responsibly.

M is for Money™ is a new all-Canadian children’s book series written by Teresa Cascioli, a successful businesswoman who took a bankrupt company and turned it into $201 million business. I’d say Ms. Cascioli knows a thing or two about money!

The books follow the financial adventures of its main characters, Tessa and Benji, as they learn about money, making and saving money, visiting a bank, taking out a loan and more. M is for Money™ is aimed to children 5-9 years of age, the perfect time to start talking about dollars and coins, and their value.

The Little Piggybank – What is Money? introduces coins and bills in a way children will understand. The Little Lemonade Stand – Working for our Coins teaches kids how to earn money by creating a lemonade stand. And the third book, The Little Trip to the Bank – The Big, Big Piggybank, introduces the concept of saving your money at home with a piggy bank, and then opening a bank account.

In an era where kids are growing up with mobile pay apps and online shopping, M is for Money sets kids up on the right path to financial literacy and provides them with an early understanding about money to help them cope and succeed in the future.

The first three books in the series are available now in eBook, soft and hardcover format at MisforMoney.ca, Indigo/Chapters, Mastermind Toys and other fine retailers across Canada. The next six books will follow later this year and the beginning of 2016.