Please, thank you … and wow!
Wow! I got tons of responses from last week’s email and blog about how Lily and I created Tirone Family Meetings!
I want to spend a few more weeks responding to some of the comments, and sharing with you some other ideas I have about creating a family with great financial sense.
Here’s one of the comments from Mary:
“… I go out of my way to have impeccable manners with my son – everything from holding a car door open for him (now he opens mine) to phrases like, “May I please have the juice,” followed by “thank you.” While I’ve had friends ask why I “do that” they are also the first to tell me what a joy my son is to have in their homes; that he helps, includes younger siblings in play and is ‘very polite.’”
Okay, so here’s the thing she wrote that really hit me: “Modeling at home is critical to molding a good citizen.”
Right on, Mary! I couldn’t agree more. When it comes to being a good model for your children, this applies to everything, including your financial habits!
So if you have children, now is the time to replace your bad financial habits with great financial habits so that you set a good model.
Here are a few resources for teaching your children to be frugal about money, and also adopt a healthy paradigm about money.
- Secrets of the Millionaire Mind by T. Harv Eker. What I like about this book is that it explains the financial blueprint that parents leave to their children.
Even saying something like, “No, you can’t have a new bike because we can’t afford it” can give your children a negative financial blueprint. It teaches a children that life is something that happens, not something that they create.
True, you might be unable to afford a bike, but imagine how motivated your child will be if you say things like …
“Yes! Let’s figure out how much bikes cost, and then let’s come up with a plan so that you can earn some money and buy a new bike. Here, I’ll help you. In fact, if you want me to put aside $5 each week out of your allowance, that can go into the pot too.”
This teaches children that money is a vehicle for achieving goals. It encourages your children to have goals, and it encourages them to be proactive about finding solutions.
And perhaps most of all, it teaches them to go out and earn money, to save money, and to decide when and how to allocate money to a resource.
- Read at least one book from David Bach’s Finish Rich series. This includes Smart Couples Finish Rich, The Finish Rich Workbook, and Smart Women Finish Rich.
- And be proactive about looking for any other financial management books or classes that seem interesting to you. The key is to break whatever bad cycle now so that you can transfer better values to the next generation by setting a great example.
In fact, in next week’s email, I’ll give you a great resource (for free) for teaching children about money, and for setting a good example.
Have you found other great resources for teaching kids about money, or for replacing your own bad habits with great financial management habits? Let us know by leaving a comment here!
Also, if you have questions about breaking bad financial habits, be sure to post them below.
Philip Tirone
