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11 Ways to Teach Kids How to Save Money

  • 2015-06-06
  • 26 comments
  • 4 minute read
  • Shan

There is more to teaching children about money that just giving them pocket money. Teaching your children to save, and the value of money is one of the most important lessons for anyone to learn.

Lessons about money should start at a preschool age. As soon as children can count, introduce them to money. Take an active role because repetition and observing others are the two methods they learn by. Parents need to try and instil money management as more of an ingrained habit and attitude towards money, rather than just learning the facts about finance.

Gerald Mwandiambira, the acting CEO of the South African Savings Institute (SASI), gives some helpful tips to teach the future generations the value of money, and the importance of savings.

Saving

1. Get a piggy bank.

Or a jar—preferably one that’s transparent—so children can see the money adding up. You can draw a line to set a visual goal, and they can watch the coins stacking up. This is more meaningful for younger children who can’t add or count that well, so they have some sense of moving toward that goal. Preschoolers can also personalize the jar with stickers or paint, which gives them a sense of connection to their money.

Photo credit: www.firefliesandmudpies.com
Photo credit: www.firefliesandmudpies.com

2. Take them to a bank to open their account.

Yes, the actual brick-and-mortar bank branch! This helps youngsters understand where their money is going and introduces them to the concept of financial institutions. Also, check if your local branch holds any special programs or tours for children.

3. Let them choose their own savings goals.

It may sound like a good idea to have all of your child’s savings go toward education, but little children can learn a lot from setting short-term goals that are fun and meaningful to them. The payoff shouldn’t be too far in the future and unattainable. When they are able to set goals, they grow up being able to save longer and better.

4. Consider savings and spending guidelines.

Some families have children set aside a certain percentage of their money for savings. If you do so, make sure to give the children money in small bills—and ask their grandparents to do the same when giving cash gifts.

5. Model good spending and saving habits.

According to a March 2010 poll by TheMint.org, parents have the biggest influence on the way children save or spend. Examine your own spending habits: if you’re telling children to be wise with money but are rushing out to buy the latest phone or trendy fashions, what message are you really sending? Also, talk to your children in an age-appropriate way about the financial decisions you make as an adult. Instead of saying, “We don’t have money,” say, “we are choosing to save money,'”

Saving for vacation

Spending

6. Show them the money.

Adults may transfer funds electronically and pay with credit cards, but youngsters will understand money better when they see actual bills and coins. We have to remember that children today don’t see cash and financial transactions, as we saw when we were growing up, we have to consciously make sure that children are understanding cash as the basis for learning more about money later. Even though their generation may not use cash, they need to see there is a tangible object. When giving children an allowance or income, give the money in denominations that encourages saving. For example if the amount is R50, give out five R10 notes and encourage at least one be set aside in savings.

7. Give them the experience of paying.

If you’re stopping for a snack after school or day care, give your child a few rands and let him make his own choices. He will quickly learn the difference in the value of a small bag of chips and a large one.

8. Teach the difference between want and need.

Talk to them about how commercials and advertisements are designed to make them feel a need for the item they are selling.

Money child

9. Ask them: What’s it worth?

When children first get their own money, they’re often tempted to waste it on cheap toys and 99-cent trinkets. It’s okay to let them buy some cheap items, but also point out which of their playthings last longer or hold their interest better.

10. Compare prices with older children.

If you are shopping for a new TV or computer, ask your child to help look at sales flyers or search for the best deal online. When eating out, she can help calculate the tip or figure out how much you should be receiving in change.

11. Let children learn from experience.

That includes making poor decisions. Although it’s painful to watch your child run out of money, the best lesson is where children start to learn the value of things and to make smart choices.

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Shan

Hi, I'm Shan. I'm an entrepreneur and a sucker for good adventures. I was listed in Forbes Africa 30 under 30 2019 and just recently launched my start-up – MomSays.

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26 comments
  1. Elizabeth Ferree says:
    2015-06-08 at 15:53

    I did the penny a day challenge and doubled what they earned at the end of the year. My youngest used his Puffs bottle and we turned it into a piggy bank, every day he brings it to me to fill up more.

    Reply
  2. Robin Rue (@massholemommy) says:
    2015-06-09 at 13:56

    I love all of your tips. I think as parents, it’s our responsibility to model appropriate behaviors for our kids. They learn everything they need to know from us.

    Reply
  3. Tammy says:
    2015-06-09 at 16:16

    I love this post. I am seeing so many children not knowing the value of a dollar or how to save and its sad. Because they grow up with that mentality, most of the time. Love the mason jar banks. You have some great suggestions here. Sharing

    Reply
  4. vegetarianmamma says:
    2015-06-09 at 16:50

    THis is great, my kids are learning about saving money and there are some great tips here. I think the superhero ball jars are a great motivator!

    Reply
  5. kungphoo says:
    2015-06-09 at 16:55

    We just got our oldest son a bank account with a debit card.. he is learning money is not always there..

    Reply
  6. Patrice says:
    2015-06-09 at 17:07

    This is a great post teaching kids how to save money . I especially like #10 bring back memory fighting cause my sibling made more money which made me work harder to catch up. Thanks for sharing.

    Reply
  7. Michelle Hwee says:
    2015-06-10 at 03:38

    How cute!! I love the Superhero idea, very creative and awesome! My little one would love that.

    Reply
  8. manuela W. says:
    2015-06-10 at 04:46

    These are awesome ways to teach kids about saving. I love the superhero mason jar banks, great idea.

    Reply
  9. Elizabeth O. says:
    2015-06-10 at 11:22

    These are great tips. It is important to teach young children about saving money. Getting them cute little piggy banks will encourage them more.

    Reply
  10. mykidsguide says:
    2015-06-10 at 13:23

    These are great tips to teach children about saving money. The super hero jars are such a cute idea.

    Reply
  11. Michele says:
    2015-06-10 at 14:24

    These are all very good suggestions no matter which country you live in. I wonder–do banks still have passbook savings accounts for children? I remember having one as a child and I loved watching the money add up.

    Reply
  12. Tanj from A Travelogue says:
    2015-06-10 at 14:43

    I love the superhero mason jars. Love that idea. This is a great list and thanks for sharing. Love your post.

    Reply
  13. Amanda Love says:
    2015-06-10 at 16:04

    I remember getting a piggy bank for my kids but they would always go in and take the money out and get candy with it at the store. These are all great ideas and I’ll have to start it again with my toddler.

    Reply
  14. April G says:
    2015-06-10 at 21:28

    So smart. I need to showcase better spending habits and I also need to spend more time showing my son the money. Great tips.

    Reply
  15. Liz Mays says:
    2015-06-10 at 21:39

    I am so impressed by this write-up. You covered it really, really well and your advice is very sound.

    Reply
  16. Liz Mays says:
    2015-06-10 at 22:01

    These will be so helpful! Making the connection between saving money and being able to pay for important things would be a great idea.

    Reply
  17. John Kenneth says:
    2015-06-11 at 02:24

    Nice tips this is not for kids only even teenagers must know how to save I will share this to my cousins and to my lil bro,.

    Reply
  18. Jeska says:
    2015-06-11 at 06:30

    My 5 year old is so good at saving money while I am terrible at it! We got him a piggy bank at birth and he’s kept it ever since!

    Reply
  19. Kristi says:
    2015-06-11 at 07:10

    What great tips! I love the mason jars, those are adorable!

    Reply
  20. Jen says:
    2015-06-11 at 07:44

    What great ideas. I know that it is so important to teach kids about money.

    Reply
  21. Franc Ramon says:
    2015-06-11 at 08:19

    I guess super hero cans would work for them. I think it would also help if they have something to save for that they’ll appreciate the concept of savings.

    Reply
  22. Heather says:
    2015-06-11 at 16:21

    My two boys already have their own piggy bank I want to teach them how to save their money. I’ve learned more in your post thank you.

    Reply
  23. Dhemz Apdian - Dias says:
    2015-06-11 at 18:48

    These are awesome and educational tips. Teaching our kids about finances at a young age is a brilliant idea.

    Reply
  24. Kristen says:
    2015-06-12 at 03:45

    I love the idea of a vacation fund! I am totally going to use that one!

    Reply
  25. Natalie - From Tourist 2 Local says:
    2015-06-12 at 08:02

    I think these are all great tips. There are so many articles out there that talk about finance for adults, but not as many for our kids. So great article! I hope people follow this advice!

    Reply
  26. Fariha N. says:
    2015-06-16 at 23:16

    It’s so important to teach kids about saving early on. Those are awesome superhero banks, my kids will love them!

    Reply

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