Start the New Year Right with Financial Tips for Kids from RateSupermarket.ca-Giveaway

Financial literacy is something that I take very seriously, in large part because it’s something that took me some time to master. Bad financial decisions in my early to mid twenties meant a few years of struggle, plenty of learning and, eventually, a determination to help my boys develop good financial habits so that they wouldn’t have to face similar problems as adults.

Of course, one of the best ways to teach is to lead by example and that’s certainly something I do. From regularly depositing money into a savings account to searching for money-saving deals, everything adds up when it comes to effective money management. That’s why I love the tips and instruction on RateSupermarket.ca. The site features plenty of practical and actionable advice to help families manage their budgets wisely. And to help kids get started with financial literacy, the company has some great tips to share!

1. Start Early – It’s never too early to talk to your children about financial responsibility. Start as soon as they’re able to count and make money the topic of regular family discussions. Enjoy a fun family night with Monopoly or The Game of Life to teach the importance of making smart money decisions. Monopoly can help children learn the importance of budgeting and setting aside an emergency fund. The Game of Life demonstrates how focusing on education can increase earning potential. A cash register and toy store can teach them that buying goods or presents comes at a cost. These lessons are especially important after the holiday season when they are due to receive cash gifts or gift cards – you can educate them on the importance of spending wisely in the new year.
2. Want VS. Need – We’ve all heard kids proclaim they NEED a toy or new gaming console. Don’t give them everything they ask for and don’t feel guilty about it. It’s important that children understand the difference between needs and wants, and that they may have to wait to buy something they desire. This will help encourage them to make sensible spending decisions.
3. Teach Children to Save and Plan – Set up a process for saving money, whether in a piggy bank for young children or a bank account if they’re older. Regularly monitor to see how much they’ve saved and introduce goals for saving and planning larger purchases. You can find out which bank account on the market is best for your child’s needs here.
4. Money Means Choice – Money is a finite resource, and therefore it is crucial for children to learn how to make wise choices about spending. If your kids are young, read them a book during story time that teaches the basics of budgeting and saving. Remember to chat through lessons-learned at the end. If you have a young adult, test out the Rewards Calculator on RateSupermarket.ca. It’s a quick, four-step tool that identifies which available credit card provides the best rewards for your needs (cash back, travel, gas or specialty rewards) based on your current, everyday spending habits.
5. Lead By Example – As a parent, you have a great deal of influence on your little ones, especially when it comes to financial habits. Children have a tendency to copy their parents’ behaviour, so be open about your spending habits and savings goals, and try to limit the number of shopping trips you take as a leisure activity. They might start to think money is unlimited and spending is fun.

I love the idea of the Rewards Calculator, since maximizing reward points is a great way of minimizing the budget for purchases I’ll be making anyways. I tried the calculator for myself and was surprised to learn how many great travel rewards credit cards could be earning me more money than my current card. Since travel is a priority for our family, that’s definitely something that interests me!

To help your children learn more about managing money, RateSupermarket.ca has a fun giveaway for the new year! One lucky Mommy Kat and Kids reader will win a prize pack containing a Lemonade in Winter picture book, a Bunny Money picture book, a piggy bank, a toy cash register and a copy of Money Savvy Kids, a total value of $75! To enter to win, just check out the Rewards Calculator and leave a blog comment about which card was recommended for you.

My youngest has finally reached a good age for being able to start understanding basic money concepts, which means it’s time for me to start teaching both my boys about proper money management in earnest. And whether we’re reading a book about money or I’m helping them manage their allowance, there’s no question that knowledge is power when it comes to financial literacy. That’s why the tips, advice and tools at RateSupermarket.ca are so handy. Check it out and get some great advice for your family budget!

RateSupermarket Giveaway