Finding books that are right on the money

Parenting is tough and when it comes to educating your kids about money, you want to use all available resources. 

One of those resources is my friend’s blog, That PNW Dad. On his site, Juan Farias Torres advocates for training your kids about money early and he shares his experience creating hands-on financial training for his kids. 

After talking with Farias Torres, I was going to create a list of recommended titles for kids and finances but then I realized that I would rather empower you to find the books that fit your situation. So here’s my MONEY tips for finding effective financial materials for you and your child. These are not hard-and-fast rules but just thoughts to get you started. 

Mindset

Look for authors/publisher who share your mindset on money management. How you handle finances is something that can be very personal. For your child’s introduction to the topic, you want the text to match your beliefs. 

Open-Minded

As I said these aren’t hard-and-fast rules. So in addition to looking for authors who have the same mindset, don’t shy away from books that have views that vary from yours. I hate to break it to you, but there is a strong chance your child will start to develop opinions that differ from yours, especially as they get older. By being open-minded to those differences early, you can create an environment to have calmer discussions later. And let’s be honest, exposing yourself to new financial ideas might not hurt either. 

Network

Ask friends and family for suggestions. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Is your neighbor’s son a few years older than your own? Ask what books worked for him. This is especially helpful because kids often mimic their older friends and relatives. If your daughter knows her older cousin read a book, there is a good chance she will be eager to read it as well. 

Engaging

Find ways to connect with your child’s interests. If your child is loving the beloved series of books by Herman Parish try Amelia Bedelia Means Business and chat about how Amelia works to save money for a new bike. Are they loving Harry Potter? Discuss Potter’s inheritance and how he chooses to spend it. 

Also, make sure it is the appropriate reading level for your child. Getting a teen book for your toddler leads to frustration for both of you. If your child isn’t a huge reader, maybe hold off on checking out Warren Buffet’s newest release. Check vendor recommendations and online reviews to find the suggested audience.

Your Library

As always, don’t miss out on the resources – available for free – at your local library. Ask staff members for recommendations. They order the books, track what their patrons are requesting, and are educated on upcoming trends and newly released titles. Finding the right book for the right reader is my favorite task when I’m working at the library. 

And don’t forget to visit www.thatpnwdad.com to get more financial literacy tips.

Happy reading!