April is Youth Month—a perfect time to help the kids in your life build smart financial habits that last a lifetime. Children learn by watching adults, so modeling healthy money behavior is key. Here are a few simple ways to teach financial literacy every day:
-
Talk About Money in Real Life
Use shopping trips or outings to explain how money works—coins, bills, debit cards—and what things cost. Point out that not everything of value requires money, like helping others or playing with friends. -
Show How Money is Earned
Talk about how you and others earn income. Encourage kids to brainstorm ways they could earn money, like pet-sitting or yard work. -
Make a Simple Budget
Help kids plan spending for the week or a special event. For teens, consider setting up an account with a monthly allowance. -
Plan Purchases Together
Teach them to make a shopping list and stick to it. For bigger wants, help them save and wait—introducing delayed gratification. -
Model Smart Spending & Saving
Use coupons, compare prices, and discuss credit card use. Open a youth savings account and show the power of saving early.
Start young, and make money conversations part of everyday life!