Home Economics Guest Article - Three Simple Steps to Empower Your Kids Financially by Elisabeth Donati Author of The Ultimate Allowance, Founder of Creative Wealth Intl., LLC, and Creator of Camp Millionaire & Creative Wealth for Women Workshops You may be thinking to yourself, “Is there something I can do to make sure my kids don’t move home after they move out?” In other words, you want a way to make sure they grow up to be financially self-reliant. I’m here to say, ‘Yes, there are some relatively simple steps you can take to ensure that your kids leave home knowing what to do with that green stuff they will be in charge of making, managing and multiplying in the future.’ More young adults are not only leaving college these days because of financial problems (student loan and credit card debt) but they are also moving back home after they graduate because they simply don't make enough money to go it on their own. The primary cause is simply that kids don’t have a clue what to do with their money, or anyone else's for that matter. Most of them are very good at spending money, but it’s a rare 20-something that understands the dangers of credit card abuse or the power of saving and investing. Heck, for that matter, most adults don't understand these concepts either. Imagine this scenario… Your son (or daughter) comes to you one day and says, "Mom, I have decided I really want to grow up and become a major league ball player." You say, "Wow, that's cool. Good for you." And you go back to doing what you were doing. Your child looks at you and asks, "So, would you get me a ball so I can learn how to throw it?" You say, "Maybe later." He says, "What about a glove and a bat?" You respond, "Nah, I don't think so." He's frustrated at this point and asks, "OK, but will you at least teach me the rules?" You say, "Oh, you can learn the rules later." Now he is really angry; he's fuming inside and feels stuck. Finally he gets really mad and yells, "But MOM, how am I ever going to become a great ball player if I don't have a ball, bat or glove to practice with and I don't know the rules?" This is what parents do, most unknowingly, to their children every day in regard to money. We grow them into adults but rarely give them the equipment or rules to practice, and get good at, The Money Game! Let’s look at three simple steps you can take to empower your children with the tools, knowledge and practice they need to grow up financially free. FIRST, you must set the best example you can for your child. Since human beings learn best by example, it is critical that you first examine what you're teaching your children through your actions because they really do speak louder than words. How can you expect your child to save and invest if you don’t? How can you expect your child to grow up with a healthy understanding of money if you don't have a healthy understanding of money? How can you expect your children not to use credit cards if the only way they see you buy things is with a credit card? The important thing to remember is that children learn from us three ways: by what they see us do, by what they hear us say and through the experiences they have with money. I know that they are always watching and learning from you in ways you probably aren't even aware of.If you're like many adults who don't understand money, you're not alone. You weren't taught when you were young either, however, now's the time to make a commitment to educate yourself. There are books and seminars everywhere. A great place to start is a program called the Millionaire Mind Intensive. For more information, visit http://www.peakpotentials.com/a/tofreedomandbeyond. If you’re doing well financially, good job. Keep asking yourself how you might ‘show’ your kids about money with your daily routine and include your kid's friends. Kids often learn better from people other than their parents so look for opportunities to influence all the kids in your circle. SECONDLY, talk to your kids about money. Take every opportunity you can to open up a line of conversation about family expenses, credit cards, debt, interest, investing, business, real estate, the stock market, financial beliefs, etc. Some examples of when to talk to your kids about money are: When you take money out of the ATM, talk about where the money comes from, why you can only take out so much, etc. When you pay for the groceries with a credit card to get points so the whole family can go on vacation, make sure they understand the importance of paying the bill off EVERY SINGLE MONTH! When you pay bills, let them help you write checks or pay the bills online. Teach them how to check the accuracy of each bill. When you deposit money into your bank, visit your investment advisor or accountant, take your child along. The worst thing you can do is assume that someone else is teaching your child about money. What children learn from parents who don't talk about money is that talking about money isn’t OK. A healthier way to look at money is simply as a tool to reach your dreams (a Creative Wealth Principle); it doesn’t mean we’re better or thinner or smarter than others. It's simply a tool. THIRDLY, consider giving your child an allowance, but not the kind you may be thinking of. In my book, The Ultimate Allowance, I teach you how to take the money you already spend ON your child and run the money THROUGH them instead. I've read that it takes an average of $275,000 to raise a child through age 17. If you run even a portion of that money through your child, imagine the practice he or she is going to get. By making plenty of financial choices—good and bad— they learn the ins and outs of money management before the consequences aren't so damaging. In summary, remember that human beings learn best by example. Your children are watching everything you do with your money, listening to everything you say about money and internalizing all the experiences they are having with money, so pay attention to the example you are setting. And finally, please talk to them about everything financial. It’s the best investment you can make in your child’s financial future and we promise it will ‘pay off’ in the end! For more information on all of our unique financial literacy products and programs, please visit The Ultimate Allowance and Creative Wealth International or give us a call at 800-928-1932. If someone sent you this article and you'd like to read more interesting tips, tricks and philosophy on money and life, sign up today for Elisabeth's FREE Weekly E-Zine, Financial Wisdom with a Twist and FREE monthly teleseminars at Ultimate Allowance Book. Kent’s Kids Tip - By the way, check with your bank to see if they have special savings accounts for children; for example, Key Bank has a nifty program called DinoSaver, which provides special newsletters and giveaways for youngsters to encourage saving. | 
