Introduction
The earlier the better, but we have suggestions for you to get started by yourself, or with your family!
Here is a quick breakdown of the age ranges, and what they would be able to learn.
Click on each of the items below to uncover the full description for each age.
You can start teaching pre-schoolers about money from when they start to ask questions – when they touch, investigate, and play with everything.
This makes it a great age to move from playing to showing good money management. It will still need to be fun – but you can start adding in more money-related skills into everyday life. For example, saving for a new toy or turning shopping into a learning experience.
They’re beginning to understand the difference between wants and needs. This is a great age to talk about how they can start achieving some of their own wants through earning and saving.
At this age, children want independence. So, you can focus on getting them to take responsibility for their own spending and saving choices. Helping them learn about how to be responsible with their money can also give you peace of mind as they become more independent in their decision-making.
From thinking about what they wear to wanting the freedom that comes from learning to drive, this is an age when money really starts to matter to them. You can help them become money-savvy adults in three main ways: 1) giving them financial responsibility; 2) setting the right example; 3) helping them manage their first wage.
Conversations about money doesn’t stop when children become adults. Whether they’re still living with you or have their own place, but are struggling to save for something they need in their life, this is the phase to really push the lessons of finding their own source of income through a job or side hustle.
This is where all of your money lessons should be put in practice, to secure your future and the future of your children. It is never too late to start learning, and for your kids to learn by your example.
These are just some guidelines on what the ideal ages are for each financial lesson in life, but obviously you can start at any age with the steps you need most.
It is so important for your children and extended family to fully understand what financial situation you are in, so that they can both support you to get to the next goal, as well as to not put any unnecessary pressure on yourself. The worst thing we can do with our money is to go beyond what we can afford, just to make someone else happy for the short term.
Children also need to understand what it actually takes to make money in this world, on what it gets spent on towards basic living, and also how to make the most of what they have.
By teaching yourself and your children about these financial decisions, you empower them to truly make a big difference in their lives as adults, and possibly a huge impact on the success of your community.
Try out the next segment on how to get the conversation about money started with your family!
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