It’s hard to teach teenagers something that they don’t think they already know. Parents are seen as ignorant of what is important to them. Despite what they think, however, parents do know about money and the consequences of using it unwisely. Show them what you know by teaching them a few things about money.
Parents have experience on their side. They have dealt with money and the ups and downs that come with it. Parents can lend insight to teenagers about how to make and manage money. From day one, they can set teenagers on the right track to understanding the advantages money and good credit can bring into their lives. Here are some tips.
1. Open a savings account. As soon as a teenager begins making income from any sort of job, take them to a bank to start putting their money into a savings account. Encouraging teenagers to leave any money they make in the bank for a month before using it will help them save up moderately large amounts of money that would otherwise be squandered away in no time at all and on nothing of any importance. Though it won’t be easy to get teenagers to stick to such a plan, it will be a great financial lesson for them.
2. Invest in a certificate of deposit. When your teenager has accumulated around $500, have them put the money in a CD. The longer you keep the money in a CD, the higher the interest rate will be for you. Try a one-year certificate. After a year, you can sit down with them and decide what to do with the money.
3. Sleep on it. When your teenager sees something that they really want to purchase, ask them to sleep on it for a night or two. Parents know all too well about buyer’s remorse after an emotional purchase. Implementing the “sleep on it” rule of thumb in your household can save your teenager from feeling that same remorse. They want a scooter today, but by taking the time to think about the purchase, they may choose to save to buy a motorbike instead.
4. Develop a financial plan. Adults are told to come up with a budget for their family, but teenagers can benefit from a similar plan. Get them to list their wants and needs in two columns on a sheet of paper. Wants and needs are subjective things, so be sure that you explain the fine line difference. They don’t have to do it in one sitting. Give them time to think about it.
5. After they prioritize their wants, let them figure out how much money they would have to save to purchase it. To make the process less painful, they can figure up how much money they want to devote per month towards the purchase. This leaves them disposable income for dates, nights out with friends, and incidentals like gas.
Teenagers can learn to use money wisely, but starting to teach them as early as possible will make it easier later on. Financially responsible teenagers will turn into equally responsible adults, capable of caring for their financial needs efficiently.