If they haven't begun already, current middle school students will soon be considering part-time jobs, saving for college and paying for their own expenses. You can help your child set a strong financial foundation with these three budget basics.
Understand the value of money.
Help your student appreciate the value of money by encouraging them to earn their own. By babysitting, doing yard work, helping around the house or otherwise working for money, your child will soon learn how much work is required to earn $1, $10 and $100.
Then, help your student complete the picture by involving them in decisions about purchases. Ask them to help you make decisions about common expenses like groceries or clothing. Encourage them to think about the quality, quantity and other features of specific brands for the cost.
Know the importance of goal-setting.
Having specific financial goals provides a framework for decision-making. If your student is saving for a particular purchase, discuss how many hours they will need to work for pay for it. Encourage them to consider whether making other purchases in the meantime is worth delaying the larger purchase.
If your student is saving for a major purchase such as a car or college, help them set smaller goals, like saving a certain amount per month. This is a good opportunity to research different methods of saving, like 529 plans and saving accounts, and the advantages of each, as well as the effects of compound interest over long periods of time.
Compare earnings to purchases.
If your student has his or her own spending money, encourage expense tracking. Then discuss how your child is spending money and whether they are surprised by the amount spent on specific purchases. Tracking spending helps consumers see their own habits and pinpoint how to cut back to improve their overall financial situation.
After tracking spending for a time, you and your student can then use a basic budget to compare earnings and income to expenses and savings goals. Multiple online tools and apps are available for free to get you started. As your student builds assets and becomes more responsible for expenses, add to your budget template or move to a more robust version.
