Sunday, December 28, 2008

Overspending Teens? Here Are A Few Tips

By Alix Montoya

You may or may not know it, but more and more kids these days are oblivious to the global economic dilemma we're going through and are spending their money, or rather their parents money, on useless and expensive junk. There's an increasing number of kids out there who are falling for marketing tactics designed especially for the youth, who seem to be more gullible when it comes to buying stuff.

You can stop excessive shopping and save you, your kids, and your whole family from a lifetime of debt and a house full of useless garbage by teaching them how to handle money more responsibly. If you don't know what you're doing, fret no more, because here are a few useful tips to get you started on your lessons on saving.

Ask them to hold a job. Asking is of course a courtesy, to them. Having a job teaches diligence, discipline and patience. If they're old enough they can even consider starting their own business, say in North Dakota craft shows, and earn some cash in their free time. Kids, just as much as any person, will appreciate money more if they worked really hard for it and having a job will definitely tell them that money does not grow on trees and that they need to work to get it.

Open up a savings account for them. You can discuss opening up a savings account at a local bank and talk to them about how banks work. Make sure to point out the advantages of having a secure and safe bank account so they can save some of their money for future use. Point out how saving is also very useful in a pinch and how they could buy bigger and better things in the future if they save today.

You should also teach them how to budget. If you're looking for family activities, why not ask your kids to sit down with you as you plan out the household budget and walk them through how to do it themselves on their own allowance. Teach them all about the advantages of being able to plan ahead and being well prepared for whatever the future might bring.

However old your child is, so long as he knows that money means stuff and more money means more stuff, it's always best to teach them how to spend it wisely. You'll be surprised at how much difference it could make if you think about it. - 15224

About the Author: