Do you want your children to be responsible money managers? Well, there is something you can do about it. You can teach them about money management starting at a young age, and lead them, and help them develop the skills and obtain the necessary knowledge to be good with their money.
First, talk to your kids about finances. Your child's best bet at being financially sound, and learning good money management skills is to understand how interest, loans, credit, savings, and all the rest work. So, help your child see how much something costs them in reality if they buy it on credit, and pay for it with interest over time, rather than saving, and paying for it with cash. Teach them about establishing credit history without incurring a lot of debt. Help them learn the lingo, and see all sides of money. The more they know, the better they will be with their money. Ignorance should not be their excuse for poor money management, and you can see to it that they are not ignorant.
Second, let them see money management happening, and give them a chance to practice it in their lives. For example, you can let your child sit in on your financial planning, and budgeting. You can take them with you to the bank when you deposit paychecks, and then let them see how you disperse the funds to cover your bills, and allocate some to the ever changing costs of entertainment, food, etc. In addition, give them the responsibility of providing some of their own needs. For example, you can give them a weekly allowance, but not buy any of their clothes. They can spend their allowance as they see fit, but when they need new socks, or pants, it is up to them to pay for them.
Third, lead by example. A child will not take anything you teach to heart unless they see you putting those teachings into practice. The "do as I say, not as I do" philosophy does not work with children, and never has. So, keep that in mind. A child learns from examples, so if you want them to be good at managing their money, take a look in the mirror and evaluate how good you are at doing so. If you could improve, do so, and let your child see you doing so, as you explain to them why you need to, and what steps you are taking to become better.
A child who learns about money management will often be spared the pressure and heartache that comes with poor fiscal responsibility. Living in debt, and having obligations that are difficult to meet add stress to life, and make it not so fun. Teaching your kids from an early age to be wise with their money, can do nothing but benefit them. Take the time. Teach them to save. Teach them through games, discussions, example, etc. how to manage money.
Beverly Frank is a stay-at-home mom and writer. For more parenting tips, visit http://www.surfnetparents.com.