The best way to teach kids financial literacy is in the context of their everyday lives. Here’s this month’s teachable money moment: The next time you’re out shopping with your child and she finds something she wants to buy (with her money, of course), have her think about the number of work hours or jobs that are necessary for her to pay for the purchase. For example, have her come up with the number of hours she would have to…
Here are some useful tips and ideas for giving kids gifts that help them become saving savvy and money smart.
“Wish me luck,” Nathan said as he exited the room. “For what?” John and I both asked. “I’m about to call my manager and find out why I haven’t been put on the schedule.” Nathan has been working at In and Out Burgers since the beginning of summer. During those non-school months he clocked a lot of hours. And he was happy. Gas money and then some. When school started, his schedule was reduced to two nights a week for…
Parents know…life can sometimes be hectic with kids. But something as simple as establishing routine can help life run a little more smoothly and efficiently. When kids know what to expect, they feel more relaxed and in control. And because of their predictability, dinnertime-, homework-, and bedtime-routines can actually give kids a sense of mastery in handling their own lives. A tangible way to involve kids in routine is to post a large family calendar in a prominent location. With…
Here’s something from the files. While researching for a project I’m working on, I discovered this paper I had written back in 2001. It may be a little off the kids and money path, but I’m a teacher first and foremost and the words reflect the importance of knowing how to teach kids, no matter what is being taught. (BTW, if you read this and are interested in the two programs I talk about but don’t mention (!), let me…