Personal Development Blog

In almost 100% of the surveys in which teenagers said they felt smart about their money, they attributed much of their savvy to involvement of, and guidance by, parents who manage their money well and have financial goals themselves. In some cases, the parents of these teenage children were financial professionals in one way or another or owned their own business.

However, if you are not a financial or business professional then do not let that stop you. Simply let your children in on your financial life. Talk about how you manage your money, how you set financial goals, and ultimately how you achieve them. When you are balancing your checkbook, show your kids what you are doing. If you have a retirement plan or a business investment, show your teens what is in your account and how you are preparing them.

Our culture has very unflattering descriptions of money and wealth, which usually are described as “filthy rich” or “dirt poor”. Instead of your children viewing money the same way, help them develop a healthy attitude toward money and finances. Present your children with a matter-of-fact approach that money and finances are necessities of life and encourage them to control them, rather than the other way around.