Tuesday, March 27, 2007

Parents - Are you helping your teens to become financially responsible?

Let’s face it, most of us just encourage our youth to get jobs expecting that a job alone will give them a greater respect for money. Well a respect for money is not the same as knowing how to keep and manage it. Lots of teens and young adults get checking accounts as part of having that new job. And even though they may be able to balance the checkbook, they still can have difficulties managing the finances.

As with the majority of households we tend to hide our financial dealings from our kids in an effort to shield them from life, which is okay. We must however endeavor to show them how to manage their finances. We can and should let them know that this is the method that we use to manage our finances. If you had problems managing your finances and have now discovered how to manage them, let you kids know that they can start doing it right.

Managing your finances equates to balancing your income and expenses, while making provision for emergencies and goals. It is essential that you explain and possibly show by example in your life, the reasons for making provision for emergencies and goals. Far too often young people start life wanting to immediately to achieve what their parents have not recognizing that it took their parents a good amount of time to achieve their goals. Additionally, youth need to be taught to live their lives without regard for the “Joneses”. Their friends, the Joneses, live their lives based on their principles, means, and opportunities, which may not exist for your child.

Lastly, consider purchasing a simple to use financial planning program that makes managing the plan simple. Consider giving your kids this gift with their very first checkbook. Living Budget Pro was designed to make managing your finances easy. Purchase Living Budget Pro today and give your kids a better shot at a great life!

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