Teaching your child about money is one of the most important things you can do to set them up for success in life. Money management is a life skill that will serve them well whether they are earning a salary, running a business, or retired.
There are a number of ways you can teach your child about money. Here are 7 of the most important money management skills you should teach your child:
1. The value of a dollar
2. The different types of money
3. Savings and spending
4. Earnings and gifts
5. Needs vs. wants
6. Planning and budgeting
7. Charitable giving
By teaching your child these money management skills, you will help them build a strong foundation for financial success in the future.

1. The Value of a Dollar Teaching your child the value of a dollar is a crucial part of their money management education. To make it easier, start by giving them small chores for money. Explain to them that they will have to earn money through work too. This will help them understand that money doesn’t come for free, and they will learn to appreciate it more. Next, show them how to distinguish between prices and ask them to compare prices of different products within the same category. You can also explain how sometimes, products can have a higher price just because of the brand label. It’s a good opportunity to teach the child that sometimes, the most expensive option may not always be the most necessary or valuable.

2. The Different Types of Money It’s important to educate your child on the different forms of money. They should know that money comes in the form of cash, checks, credit cards and debit cards. Dust off your old chequebook and show them how to write a check correctly. You can also discuss the advantages and disadvantages of using different forms of payment. For example, there may be a reward for using a credit card for a purchase, but that can increase debt levels.

3. Savings and Spending One of the most important money management skills to teach your child is the concept of saving and spending. Teach your child the importance of saving their money for the future. A good way to demonstrate this is by using a piggy bank or a savings account. As they grow older, they can learn about the basics of saving for college or a down payment for a big purchase.

4. Earnings and Gifts When your child receives money as a gift, help them make choices on their spending by offering various options on how to allocate that money. This helps show them that money can be used wisely, but it also brings appreciation towards the gift itself as they realize the effort people go through to make the gift possible.

5. Needs vs. Wants Teaching your child the difference between needs and wants is an essential part of money management. They should understand that some expenditures are essential (food, shelter, medication) while others are not (toys, games, eating out). This way, they can learn to make better decisions about their finances.

6. Planning and Budgeting
Planning and budgeting are significant life skills that your child will benefit from. Teach your child how to budget their money efficiently and make a plan for their savings. Sit down and help them develop a budget worksheet to track expenses in the short term but also to anticipate future costs like birthday presents, holidays or gifts. As they become better at planning and budgeting, you can introduce them to more complex concepts.

7. Charitable Giving Teaching your child charitable giving helps them develop compassion and empathy. When they see that they can share what they have with others who are less fortunate, they will learn the importance of generosity. Give them appropriate opportunities where they can make donations to non-profits or engage in volunteer work. In conclusion, teaching your child about money management through these seven methods is critical for their financial success later in life. Start teaching them early on and at a pace that is appropriate for their age. The lessons learned now will shape their financial habits for the rest of their life, so be sure to create ample opportunities for them to practice these skills.

Resources:
https://www.canada.ca/en/financial-consumer-agency/services/teaching-children-money/begin-teaching-children.html