Tell your money where to go

A great quote I want to share...it will get you thinking.  "It is better to TELL your money where to go than to ASK where it went."  April is Financial Literacy Month and as The Kids Finance Coach you'll see extra postings and resources right here and I invite you to click the learning center tab at  www.afn-net.com

save by turning off the water while you brush

Turn off the water while you brush your teeth.  You'll help conserve water and save money by reducing the family water bill.

recycle and save

Recycle and save!  Being resourceful is a great way to save money.  Collect your bottles and cans and take them to your local recycling center.  You'll help save the planet and get some money back too.

'Tis the Season

The spooky holiday is behind us (hope you all had a great Halloween) and there is much to look forward to as we participate in community, family and friend gatherings through the New Year.  The relationships we have with one another and the relationship we have with money are both important.  It's a good time to start thinking about money - saving, investing, donating and spending it.  Watch the video's on this blog http://www.kidsfinancecoach.com/ and visit www.afn-net.com/learning_center.cfm for great insights!

What does AGI stand for anyway?

From Ajusted Gross Income to Zero-Coupon Bond.  We've got a robust glossary of financial terms just one click away.  http://www.afn-net.com/glossary.cfm

Curiosity is Cool. What if ... ? 5 Questions for Kids

Kids love to ask questions.  And so do parents.  Here are five questions that will give you great insight into what your kids are thinking and curious about.  Take their responses a bit futher by asking them to describe ways of how they could save, invest, donate or spend money to do the things they want.

1.  If you had a million dollars in your pocket, what would you do with it and why?
2.  If you were to do something nice for someone, who would it be for and what would you do?
3.  What kind of job do you think would be fun to have and why?
4.  What is your favorite thing to do and why?
5.  If you could buy something for someone else, what would you buy?  Who would it be for and why?

Be sure to scroll down and over to the right to watch Kids Finance Coach Kids Keanu and Tristen's videos about how to Save, Invest, Donate, Spend money.

Pay Attention, Parents. This One’s for You!

Who are our children’s first teachers? That’s right…parents. April is Financial Literacy Month, so I’m doing what I can to help kids understand and become comfortable with financial concepts. Here’s a list of things YOU can be doing to help teach the valuable skill of money management to your child.
Ten Tips for Teaching Kids about Money

1. It’s never too early to start talking about money with your kids.
2. Don’t make personal finance topics taboo from kids. Talking about money is a learning opportunity. Any discussion is better than silence.
3. Consider giving your kids an allowance. Set expectations about spending, saving and giving to charity.
4. Encourage your kids to make their own money. That way, they connect work to money. Money is a means to an end, not an end in itself.
5. Teach your child to ask, “how can I earn that?”
6. Make sure saving is a habit. Reinforce it. Don’t forget to do it yourself.
7. Don’t say “we can’t afford it”, say “we don’t need that right now.”
8. Keep talking about issues like debt and credit with teenagers, even if they act like they are not listening. Credit/debit cards can feel like plastic funny money.
9. Kids remember and copy parents’ behavior. So model good stewardship of money no matter how much you have. Discuss the basics of budgeting.
10. Think of a financial planner as a resource. Just ask. They can help you talk with your kids about money.

Bankers nationwide are celebrating National Teach Children to Save Day on Tuesday, April 21. Founded by the American Bankers’ Association Education Foundation, the day is dedicated to educating youth about the importance of saving.

Parents, Here are Five Tips for Teaching Financial Responsibility

1. Value of Saving – Teach children why you save and why they should save by using everyday examples like buying groceries. Illustrate how savings can grow by collecting money in a jar or container.
2. Needs vs. Wants – Explain the differences between needs and wants and how to prioritize spending. Use examples like toothpaste vs. another video game.
3. Allowance – Consider an allowance to teach how money is earned. Provide an allowance in a way that children can save part of it and spend part of it (for example, if an allowance is $5, give five one dollar bills so some can be saved and some spent).
4. Set a Goal – Setting a goal for savings or to buy a desired item will help teach a child to be responsible for him/herself and reinforce the feeling of accomplishment when the goal is reached.
5. Open a Savings Account – Establish regular saving habits that will last a lifetime by opening a savings account with your child.

CHECK OUT THE LINKS on our sidebar for lots of fun resources to help your children save!