A Penny Saved is a Penny Earned: Tips for Teaching Children the Value of Saving Money

Teaching children the value of money enables them to become financially responsible adults. Encouraging your child to save their money instead of spending it teaches them to appreciate what they have. A great way to start this lesson is by establishing a savings goal and providing incentives for reaching it. You can also bring them for shopping and let them compare prices so they understand how saving money on small purchases adds up over time. Read on for more tips on how to teach your child the value of a penny saved.

1. Teach Math Basics

Teach children how money works, how to make sensible choices and the importance of delaying gratification from a young age. Show them how to track their spending and savings online or with spreadsheets. Explain what assets they could consider investing in. Economics for children teaches them how people make and spend money. It teaches them basic math principles of compounding, interest, loans, and savings. It’s more than learning math equations but helping them understand real-world applications of the principles they are learning.

2. Start with a Piggy Bank

It encourages children to save coins and small bills by setting aside money. Visualizing their savings’ growth motivates setting and reaching financial goals. Parents should encourage this habit by matching their child’s contributions up to a certain amount or adding incentives like ice cream or movie nights.

Setting up automatic transfers from checking accounts or encouraging online banking are good ways for teenagers to learn the value of tracking their spending and planning where their income goes.

3. Discuss the Difference Between Needs, Wants, and Wishes

Teaching children the difference between needs, wants, and wishes instills the value of saving money. Use examples like going to the store and considering items you would buy. Point out that milk and bread are needed, and since you must purchase them, you’ll have to make sure there is enough money to buy them before buying anything else.

Items that might be considered wants, like food or clothes, can become needs if necessary for one’s well-being. Then explain that while wants may only sometimes get fulfilled immediately due to budget constraints, wishes such as holidays or days out with the family are available when they save enough money over time.

4. Autonomous Shopping

Allowing kids to shop for themselves allows them to experience and understand the importance of mindful purchases. This hands-on learning experience allows children to refine their critical thinking skills. They learn that every purchase decision carries an economic consequence. Parents can set specific guidelines and expectations, such as setting a budget and teaching impulse control. It helps kids to make smart purchasing decisions.

5. Set Savings Goals

Establishing savings goals for your children from a young age teaches them the value of money. While you may want to encourage smaller, short-term savings goals for immediate gratification, encouraging longer-term goals will help your children learn the power of foresight and long-term planning.

Setting savings objectives should be done with enthusiasm to impart the idea of working hard and rewarding oneself with something special when achieved. Rewards should equate to spending and focus on experiences such as vacations. Teach your children the importance of managing money and reaching achievable financial milestones.

6. Track Spending

Teach children to track their spending and the importance of living within their means. Set limits for what to buy and plan for larger expenses. Knowing how much money they have to spend allows kids to make conscious decisions about what purchases are necessary versus what they may want but don’t need. Parents should encourage their children by helping them set up a system that allows easy spending tracking and creates reasonable goals. These goals include putting money into a savings account each week or month.

The Bottom Line

It is important to teach kids about saving money and using money early because it helps develop important financial literacy skills that will benefit them throughout their lives. By learning about the value of money, kids can develop a sense of responsibility and discipline when managing their finances.

They can also learn about the benefits of saving for long-term goals, such as buying a house or paying for college. Additionally, teaching kids about money can help them avoid financial mistakes and develop good habits, such as budgeting and living within their means.

Ultimately, early financial education can empower kids to make informed decisions about their finances and set them up for a successful financial future.

Related reading: Effective Financial Literacy Activities & Lesson Plans for Kids