Teaching Kids About Money
Age-appropriate financial lessons to raise money-smart kids who make wise financial decisions.
Ages 3-5: Money Foundations
Start building basic money concepts during these formative years through play and simple lessons.
Key Concepts to Teach
- Identifying coins and bills
- Understanding money is exchanged for goods
- Basic waiting (delayed gratification)
- Simple choices (this OR that, not both)
Learning Tools
Ages 6-10: Money Responsibility
Develop saving habits and basic money management skills during elementary years.
Key Lessons
- Earning money through chores
- Three-jar system: Save/Spend/Share
- Comparison shopping basics
- Setting simple savings goals
Allowance Tools
Ages 11-13: Smart Spending
Prepare for greater financial independence with more complex money concepts.
Key Lessons
- Budgeting for wants vs needs
- Intro to banking and debit cards
- Comparison shopping online/offline
- Basic entrepreneurship concepts
Learning Resources
Ages 14-18: Financial Independence
Prepare teens for adult financial responsibilities before they leave home.
Key Lessons
- Managing a checking account
- Understanding credit scores
- Basic investing concepts
- College financial planning
Teen Resources
Quick Money Lessons for Kids
- Let kids pay at checkout to practice handling money
- Play "grocery store" with price comparisons
- Give commissions (not allowances) for completed chores
- Open a savings account together at the bank
- Discuss family budgeting decisions appropriate for their age
- Encourage entrepreneurial activities like lemonade stands
- Show how compound interest grows savings over time
- Model good financial behavior in your own spending
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