Conversation Starters for Parents and Kids
Getting Started
Help your children build good money habits by talking with them early and often about finances and by setting a good financial example. NASAA’s educational games and resources for youth can help get your children thinking and talking about personal finance. Use the questions below to jumpstart a conversation with your child about responsible money management.
Budgeting
- What is the difference between a need and a want? Which is more important than the other?
- How does your family make decision about spending and saving?
- Why is it important to balance income (money coming in) with expenses (money going out)?
- What are ways to earn more money (i.e. babysitting, lawn mowing)?
Saving
- What are some ways to save money?
- How can interest help make your savings grow?
- Is there something special you want to save for?
- What are some ways to save for a long-term goal like buying a car or going to college?
Investing
- What is an investment and how does it work?
- How can investing make your money grow?
- What are some of the risks of investing?
- What are some ways to make investing less risky?
- Where can you get advice and information about investing?
Scams and Frauds
- How can you tell whether an opportunity to make money is a scam?
- Who can you trust with money advice? Remember, people may use social connections to trick you into a scam.
- How can you verify an investment opportunity and the promoter? What should you do if someone approaches you with an easy way to make money?
