Ever wonder how to help your kids learn smart money habits – especially during the summer break?  I recently shared top 5 tips for a special financial literacy insert with USA Today.  Here is the link to the article:  Money Matters: 5 Lessons to Teach Your Kids This Summer.

But I thought I would expand on these tips and share some examples of how our family personally applied them as well:

1.  Teach choice. Introduce the four choices for money (Save, Spend, Donate and Invest) to your child using a divided bank or jars. Teach them that there is more to do with money than just spend. Present opportunities to make choices with their money as well.

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The May 2015 issue of Money Magazine has an excellent article with money advice for couples.  In the June 2015 issue a pastor who counsels married couples writes in a letter to the editor that this article is something every young couple about to marry should read.  I agree; this article provides solid advice for all couples, about to be married, newly married or veteran couples. And couples who practice these money skills will be in the best shape to help guide their kids when it comes to money.  Enjoy:

http://time.com/money/page/five-money-moves-every-couple-should-make/

As parents, we often try to provide all we can so our children – especially teens – have all they need to succeed.  But sometimes in the process, we create a situation we did not anticipate – teens taking our money for granted.  A few years ago, I offered some tips to a family struggling with this specific challenge on the Dr. Phil show.  So if you are struggling to find ways to help your teen to not take your money for granted, try these tips to help you and your family:

Happy Financial Literacy Month!  To kick off this high, holy month of financial literacy, I shared some tips with Beth Pinsker at Reuters on how to help kids learn how to save.  Here’s the result of that interview.  Thanks, Beth, for including me in this conversation with your readers!

Article: “YOUR MONEY – How to Bank Your Child’s Money” – Beth Pinsker, Reuters