Do any of the following ques- tions;sound;familiar;to;you? “Why;can’t;you;just;get money;from;the;machine?”
“What;do;banks;do?”;“Why;can’t;I;have
that game that my friend just got?”
“What;is;a;bill?”;“Why;do;we;give;money
to;the;church?”
These questions and many more are
familiar;to;parents;everywhere.;Because
decisions are made on a daily basis re-
garding how money is earned, spent,
given away, or saved, most children are
at least somewhat aware of their fam-
ily’s financial situation. So, instead of
putting off their questions until later,
invite your children to become aware of
how your family manages money. Their
participation;will;go;a;long;way;toward
teaching;them;responsibility;in;this;very
important;life;skill;as;they;mature;and
make;financial;decisions;of;their;own.
Most homeschoolers have the advan-tage;(and;yes,;sometimes;the;challenge)
of having our children accompany us
on errands around town. As children
grow older, they gradually become more
aware of what is happening as these
stops;are;made,;and;these;stops;can;pro-vide;mini;lessons;in;finance.;Experienc-ing;firsthand;what;is;happening;goes;a
long;way;toward;shaping;your;children’s
outlook on earning, giving, spending,
and saving.
Online banking is a wonderful conve-
nience,;but;when;a;paycheck;is;direct-
deposited;and;the;children;never;see;the
money going into the bank, but only see
it;coming;out,;it’s;as;though;a;piece;of
the;puzzle;is;missing.;Be;sure;to;explain
to your children how your money gets
into;the;bank;(so;that;you;have;money
to;take;out;later).;Income;is;received;in
various;forms,;and;it;is;important;for
children;to;know;that;without;this;first
step;of;earning;money,;the;next;steps;of
giving, spending, and saving wouldn’t
be;possible.
Each family makes unique choices
about;giving;part;of;their;income;back
to;God;in;the;form;of;tithes;or;offer-ings at church or giving to charities.
Be;sure;that;your;children;are;aware;of
how your family designates any giving,
thus encouraging them to become givers when they earn their own money.
If children see that giving is as much a
part;of;earning;money;as;spending;and
saving,;then;hopefully;they;will;become
generous adults.
Homeschool Finances
By;Christy;Acre
Making
Household
Finances a
Family;Affair
Showing your children that you use your resources wisely and
carefully lays the foundation for wise future money habits.
