Most parents cover what they consider the BIG topics with their children. Strangers, Drugs, Sex. One of the topics that seems to get over-looked is money. I think that parents and schools both should teach kids about finances. How to mange money, develop a budget, balance a checkbook, responsibility when using a debit or credit card. I know it seems basic and trivial but you would be surprised at just how many teens go into adulthood not having any idea at all as to how to manage their finances.
I remember starting out in my adult life trying to figure out how to build credit. Then destroying that credit because I thought using credit cards were the way to go. Then having to figure out how to get out of debt and re-build my credit score. Oh how I wish someone had sat me down and explained to me just how important good credit is, how to get it, maintain it and protect it.
Because of my financial struggles it has always been VERY important to me to teach my kids the things that I had to learn the hard way. Erin has her own bank account now, with a debit card and she has done very well. She makes sure to balance her account and she has learned to really think about it before she spends. Tate only has a savings account but is learning to balance his account with each deposit and monthly statement.
American Express has developed a great website to help parents educate their children about finances. Did you know that more than half of parents (57%) with kids in high school and college give schools below average or failing grades in teaching kids responsible spending, with more than one-third (35%) giving a straight out ‘F’. This is compared to 37% of parents who give schools an ‘A’ or ‘B’ for teaching safe sex, according to a recent American Express Survey. Heck, I just wish the schools here taught ANY kind of finance class. But, since I now homeschool Tate we have made it a priority.
I would love to hear if you have discussed money matters with your teens. What topics were the most important to you to cover? If you haven’t discussed money matters with your teen but would love to and just need to know where to start you can read all of the “Practice Safe Spend” tips from American Express at: financialtools.americanexpress.com.
“I wrote this review while participating in a campaign by Mom Central Consulting on behalf of American Express and received a promotional item to thank me for taking the time to participate.”
Another product that we use constantly is the EcoSMART Insect Repellent for personal use. This summer Erin has been working as a park ranger at our local lake. BUG CITY! She carries and uses the insect repellent every day. Some of the other park rangers have commented on how she never gets bug bites and when she showed them what she uses and told them why, they have all started using it as well. Their 
