Wow, just like that another school year is up and running! We are over here in final preparation for yet another semester rollout of our 8 week financial education workshops within local high schools in Pennsylvania.
We break down the basics in the classroom from budgeting to credit, debt, compounding interest and the value of time and much more! We actually are rolling out our new insurance module for students this semester! Investing 101 is coming up next… You’ll see more about that soon!
As a parent, there are often topics I wish I could sit my child down and iron out every detail to the nth degree in a thorough, well thought out conversation. In my reality, right now, parenting is all about the micro-lessons we take the time to equip them with or through. Kids grow quicker then we can fathom and most lessons are are small 5 minute conversations over dinner, or a 3 minute chat in the car.
When I’m lucky, I can get one on a walk with me for more then 10 minutes, but the conversations travel from the favorite video they watched or exciting plans they are working out. Half the time, I’m praying 70% of what I am saying sticks and watching for new choices they might make because of our micro lessons each day.
So if parenting is micro lessons, how do we get them to learn the ins and outs of all.things.money? There are an infinite number of books and theories and topics all written to help us. Will your child read them? I encourage you to just start where you are at. My oldest is just at the point of learning about money, so this should be a fun ride! Check in on their money mindset. Do they value the worth of the dollar? Are they savers or spenders? That’s often where you start.
My conversations are starting as suddenly, my 8 year old wants to buy snacks at lunch…. EVERYDAY. This morning, I had to stop him from emptying the piggy bank to prevent potato chip overload.
Tonight’s dinner conversation will be all about financial goal setting with my kiddos. Here are a few conversation starters for you, if you, like me, are in the earlier years of education in the financial arena.
1.) How much money does XXXX ( favorite new toy/ thing they want) cost? How many bags of chips will you have eaten at this cost?
2. ) How long do you think it would take you to make that money? (Maybe this is the time to introduce and allowance or chores above normal helping around the house) Set the wage and stick to it. This step is also fun for them to do the math on how long it takes to save for XXX item, paid at the wage you’ve determined. I’m also a huge fan of paying them to read books that I KNOW will benefit but they might not love… at first. I make sure they answer a few key questions so I know they’ve completed and got the message of the book.
3.) How will you save for the second new XXXX thing you want?
4.) Is there anyone or an organization that might need your help financially, that does a lot of good in the community? This is where I plant the seed on giving back… ( more helpful tips on this coming soon!)
Because, apparently the school snack line is where I’m losing my kiddo, I’m then going to do the shopping comparison on how to get “more” bank for your buck.
Let me know how your conversations go with your kids, because yes, it takes a village. I love hearing others ideas or nudges they give their own children.
I’ll check in next on how the conversation went!
To help you along at whatever stage you are in- check out our free resources portal! We add to this all the time on a litany of topics regarding students and financial education as well as career guidance tools.
Until next time,
Elisabeth Aragon
