Mama, don’t let your baby grow up to be a snowflake…

I do not want to raise a kid that can’t do anything for himself. I want Alex to be able to function on his own when he goes to college in a few years, to do his own laundry-especially to get dirt stains out of baseball pants-and to manage his time so that he can study and also have fun. So far, Alex is learning most of the skills he needs, so now I am tackling the biggie-money management.

One of the best lessons I did as a parent was during the summer when Alex was about 12 years old and he wanted to buy fast food all the time at lunch.  Of course I did not indulge him, but it made me think of how much this convenience food would add up to if we ate it every day.  I asked Alex to find out the minimum wage was in California.  Then I made a list of things that Alex liked to do, plus other things he might do or need someday:

Lunch at Chipotle, Subway, etc.-usually about $10

Movie ticket

Ticket to Magic Mountain

Price of new baseball glove

Cost of one tank of gas

My goal wasn’t to shame him into feeling guilty about the stuff that makes life great for a kid, but just to illuminate how challenging it can be to afford the stuff we like.  I wanted (and still want) Alex to value “stuff” and not feel entitled to things just because he wants it.  Often, when Alex wants to do or buy something, big or small, my question is…

Would he pay for it with his own money?    

Now that Alex is in high school, my financial goals for him include…

-saving, spending, and debt

-tracking his spending

-credit cards, debit cards, and banking

 

Below are links to other articles on kids and money that you might find helpful.

 

Money Management for Teens by Cherryl Hanson Simpson

Cherryl is a financial consultant and coach, and founder of Financially S.M.A.R.T. Services. See more of her work at http://www.financiallyfreenetwork.com and http://www.financiallysmartonline.com

Contact Cherryl.

Article Source:

http://EzineArticles.com/?Money-Management-For-Teens&id=2391484] Money Management For Teens

 

Money Managing Tips For Teens By Lizzie Ducking

http://EzineArticles.com/?Money-Managing-Tips-For-Teens&id=6506554] Money Managing Tips For Teens

 

About Lizzie Ducking

I am a License Practical Nurse. I have been in this field for over 25 years. I enjoy helping and encouraging others. My main hobbies are reading and writing. I am a Wife, Mother and Grandmother. I am also President of the Parent Teachers Organization. President of the Parent Supporter Task Force and a member of the Parent Leadership Institute.

My website:

[http://www.lizzieschristianbookstoreandmore.com]http://www.lizzieschristianbookstoreandmore.com. I sell a variety of Christian Products such as E-books, Poems, and Teachings. Free weekly Devotions. Inspiritional products like Crosses, Bible covers, Plaques, Figurines and more.

 

http://EzineArticles.com/expert/Jayce_Broda/391877 Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/2741219