Watching Your Wallet: Discussing finances with children

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- There are lessons to learn in finance at any age, and experts say it's never too early to start the dialogue with children.

"When people make that conversation comfortable with their kids, it's no longer a taboo topic but something they're really excited and proud to use those skills they learned as kids into adulthood," says Chase Bank Community Manager, Karla Contreras.

Contreras says start small.

Plenty of children's games teach the basics of exchanging money for goods and services, including play stores and restaurants.

You can also teach visual savings with piggy banks.

"The more we speak to this, the more empowered kids feel and adults feel, and it's something that's not universally taught, which is why it's so important to get ahead of it and get in front of kids at a young age," Contreras said.

Once they've grasped those concepts, experts say drive home the difference between wants versus needs. You can also teach the value of earning through effort, linking chores to allowance.

"The way we speak to a high schooler with their first job might not be the same way we talk to a toddler or a young school age child, but there's always those lessons," Contreras said.

As they enter their teen years, introduce advanced budgeting and credit.

"It really makes them more comfortable when they're older, and start leaving these experiences like their first job dealing with maybe their funds for school," Contreras said.

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