In celebration of Financial Literacy Month, we'd like to offer up five suggestions on how to make money a fun, applicable, hands-on topic for the youngest members of your household. While many of us view children and finance through the lens of what we’re spending, we don’t often consider the power of our own example.
Children’s foundational understanding of money management—how to count it, save it, and spend it— begins with the conversations they’re having at home. Lemonade stand entrepreneurism and dinner table negotiations around chore charts and allowance are a commendable start. But money talk doesn’t have to end there.
Here are some suggestions to help get you started:
- Talk Candidly
Money can be a sensitive subject for families especially during periods of financial strain. If you’re tense or escalated during family conversations, this creates negative associations for your children. Create a safe talking environment where they can weigh in on everyday money choices. Debate the financial pros and cons of bringing home a new pet. Brainstorm ways they can earn extra allowance for a coveted item. Try some of these good conversation starters during dinner. Healthy attitudes toward money start at home (and with you.)
- Turn Screen Time Into Savings
In our TikTok/tablet/app-centric lifestyles, it would be easy to turn your nose up at the idea of money apps. But just as adults benefit from fintech, so can children. Consider introducing a finance app specifically designed with kids and teens in mind. Creating savings goals, tracking chores and allowance earnings, and once they're old enough, introducing them to their very own checking account can be a valuable way to teach them about financial responsibility.
- Keep it Real
Money itself can feel like an elusive, intangible concept, especially in the digital age when most of our daily transactions happen with card swiping and touch-free technology. It’s important to create real world opportunities to involve your kids in money management. Is your child’s school having a fundraiser? Encourage them to get involved (bonus if you can get involved too) and discuss the goals and the outcome around it— what part do they play? What did they learn in either being successful or falling a bit short?
On the home-front, involve your child in cost-comparisons at the grocery store, add up the costs of items as you shop, and explain staying within the parameters of your typical monthly budget. Having to make money decisions in real time solidifies concepts you may have only touched on in conversation.
- Give Back
While stashing earnings in jars or automating allowance deposits allows children to see the benefits of having and saving towards their own personal goals, it’s also important to frame finance through a charitable lens. Not sure where to donate? Every year, Logix Community Stars Foundation supports many local nonprofit organizations. Charity Navigator is also a good place to learn about charitable organizations in need and begin a conversation with your children about what causes resonate with them.
- Add to Your Library
A fun and easy way to lend additional context to money talks at home (and curriculum they may be covering in school) is to introduce your kids to age-appropriate reading material. Turn finance into a field trip and head to your local library where you can ask the librarian for recommendations or check out this fun list of reads. If you're looking for games and video tutorials to inspire your creative side, check out the Logix Fun Zone.
Need more guidance? Visit the Logix SmartLab to stay on top of your financial education.
Stop by your local Logix branch to open a Teen Checking Account today!
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*Logix has partnered with GreenPath Financial Wellness to give members access to additional financial wellness content, including this blog article. Views and opinions expressed in the financial wellness content are those of GreenPath and may not always represent the views and opinions of Logix Federal Credit Union. Logix Federal Credit Union is not affiliated with GreenPath, and is a separate entity.
Please contact Logix at (800) 328-5328 or visit www.lfcu.com if you have any questions about this topic or would like to consider opening an account.
Logix is Federally Insured by NCUA and is an Equal Housing Lender.
