This is sponsored post for SheSpeaks/Beth Kobliner.
I grew up with a mom who loved retail therapy and still does. While she could afford to be that way, it led me to not think much about finances as a kid or teen. I wasn’t a big spender even as a kid, but I also didn’t realize the importance of money and finances.
However, I got a hard lesson in money management when I married someone who was completely financially irresponsible. He hid it from me while dating and in the early years of marriage, so I had no idea what I was in for until I got a notice in the mail of a loan he got in my name. It was a very scary lesson. I had to pick myself up and quickly learn to be financially responsible so I could clean up the mess he had done to my credit.
Now I am in a completely different marriage with a wonderful man who works in finance for a living. When we were dating he was a bankruptcy counselor who helped people learn to budget. Now he works at a large brokerage service helping people grow and manage their money.
Over the years, we have tried to teach our children the importance of making good choices, saving money and being frugal. Our oldest is about to go off to college next year, and I do not want her to have the pitfalls that can trap college kids into debt.
When I first cracked open the spine of Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not) I was a bit nervous to see if the advice would be anything like what we are doing with our kids. It’s by the personal finance expert, journalist, and bestselling author Beth Kobliner and is based on the latest research from the fields of psychology, child development, and behavioral economics.
I was pleasantly surprised with the easy step-by-step guide this book provides to teach kids about money. There’s even advice on what NOT to talk to them about when it comes to money. One thing I loved about this is book is that it easily breaks down how to talk to your kids about money at different ages from toddlers all the way up to college and young adults.
I found we are already doing very similar things with all three of our kids, who range in age from elementary age to high school. It also had some really great helpful advice for our soon-to-be college kid — things I hadn’t even thought about it. These were topics like when to get a credit card and insurance issues, such as if your homeowners policy includes your child’s things in their dorm room.
Another thing I really liked was the guide for your child’s first paycheck. Last year our oldest had her first summer job, and while I explained her taxes, this book does a great job showing her exactly what is being taken out of her paycheck each week. Plus, it had some great common sense ideas to get them thinking about putting money away into savings with each paycheck.
I was curious to read the author’s viewpoints on allowances, chores, and even paying for good grades. We do not give our children allowances nor do we pay for chores or good grades. I was excited to see the author talk about chores as necessary because you are part of the family. This is something we stress with our kids all the time.
Finances are so important to teach even at a young age. Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not) is an easy, enjoyable read with a great common sense approach to teaching your kids about money, even if you feel like you have no idea what you’re doing. It’s a great reference for every stage of your child’s life with teachable moments for important aspects of life like self control and weighing choices carefully.
You can get your own copy of Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even If You’re Not) at Amazon and Barnes & Noble as well as most local bookstores or large retailers such as IndieBound and Books-A-Million.
For more money and financial advice and tips, make sure to follow Beth Kobliner on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest.
16 comments
This sounds like a book that every parent should read. Money may not buy happiness, but it can definitely cause heartache if you don’t manage it correctly. Kids need to know that as early on as possible.
I have got to get my hands on a copy of this book. My mom made sure to teach us young about the value of money.
I need to get a copy of this book and read it right away. It is so important for kids to get a good understanding of how finances work.
I am not a money genius, but I would certainly want my kids to be money geniuses. I want a copy of this book.
I am a natural economical but not money genius. This will be a great help in learning to handle money
I’ve been reading a lot of good things about this book and I need to buy it. I too think it’s important to teach the kids to do chores not for payment.
A book that could really help the future kids in the world! Money management is KEY!
I love this book! Not only it provides financial advice that can be taught to young children, but it has advice that can beneficial for adults, too.
I’m not a money genius, so I need this for my son! My boyfriend is much better about it and tries to help him with management
Going to get me a copy of this book soon! I know my son will not only be the one who will learn from this book…me too! 🙂
I have heard many great reviews about this book. I should get one and try this because it is important to teach our kids financial responsibility.
Money management, cooking and civics are three of the most important things you can teach your kids.
I need to get that book for my son. He is at that age now where he seems to think that money grows on trees lol I could use all the help I need.
This sounds like a really great book! I’ll have to check it out sometime!
This is a good resource that can help parents point out the value of saving money to kids. As early as three, I think kids can already appreciate teaching them with the basic.