Have you noticed an uptick in recent news reports about personal financial literacy and young adults? School districts around the country are considering how to include personal financial education in their curriculum and whether to make a class mandatory for graduation. Others, like the Poudre School District, already have requirements and academic standards established around personal financial literacy!
But what if your child isn’t high school-aged? What if you want to reinforce good money management practices with your teen?
Come to the library!
Starting Out
It’s never too early to start your kids, tweens, and teens along a path to strong financial literacy. Your child’s lemonade stand or the family’s garage sale is a perfect opportunity to begin a discussion with your kids about earning money, saving, and spending.
Then add to that impromptu lesson by making use of the many family-friendly financial education resources at the Library including online activities, library programs, and books and magazines.
Money Books for Kids & Teens
If you’re looking for children’s books that talk about money, check out titles like:
| Lemonade in the Winter: a Book about Two Kids Counting Money (print, eBook, audiobook, video formats available) | Emily Jenkins |
| The Berenstain Bears Dollars and Sense (print, eBook formats available) | Stan Berenstain |
| Curious George Saves His Pennies | Monica Perez |
| The Secret Life of Money: A Kid’s Guide to Cash | Kira Vermond |
| Various titles provide an introduction to financial literacy | Mattie Reynolds |
For teen readers:
| Money: Getting it, Using it, and Avoiding the Traps: the Ultimate Teen Guide | Robin Brancato |
| The Teen’s Guide to Personal Finance: Basic Concepts in Personal Finance that Every Teen Should Know | Joshua Holmberg |
| Rich Dad, Poor Dad for Teens: the Secrets about Money that You Don’t Learn in School (print, eBook formats available) | Robert T. Kiyosaki |
| Be Smart about Credit: Credit and Debt Management | Kathiann M. Kowalski |
Books for Adults
Want to learn how to talk to your kids about money and teach them good financial management?
Head to the stacks and browse personal finance-related books in the 332 Dewey Decimal classification which includes titles and authors like:
| Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even if You’re Not): a Parent’s Guide for Kids 3 to 23 | Beth Kobliner |
| Rich Dad’s Rich Kid, Smart Kid: Giving Your Children a Financial Headstart | Robert T. Kiyosaki |
Any of our librarians can point you in the right direction!
Websites & Online Games
Treasury Direct Kids is a site created by the U.S. Treasury Bureau of the Fiscal Service and features games, videos, and short bits about saving and investing, the history of U.S. public debt, and other topics.
The National Credit Union Administration website connects you to a variety of kid-friendly activities: World of Cents; Hit the Road, a Financial Adventure Game; Test your Money Memory; and Break the Bank.
Visit the U.S. Currency Education Program site to watch videos, learn the history of American currency, and even learn how to authenticate your money.
On the U.S. Mint website you’ll find a wealth of cool information like how coins are made and fun games for kids (some games are being updated to work on mobile devices).
Library eResources
The Jump$tart! eResource provides educational resources and research to prepare your children and teens for lifelong financial decision-making success. One of the great activities available through Jump$tart! is the Reality Check Calculator: fill in the choices to see if you can afford your dream life. You might be surprised by how much that life will actually cost.
Another useful eResource for getting started is the FDIC Money Smart program which includes a free computer-based instructional program for young adults ages 13-21. The interactive training covers topics such as the basics of borrowing money wisely, using a spending plan to achieve financial goals, and how to use banking products effectively. (Available in English and Spanish.)
Library Classes for Teens
Teens (and their parents) will benefit from the money-related programs offered by local financial experts each month at the libraries such as Budget Apps (next offered Wed. 7/26), Understanding Your Credit Score, and Saving and Budgeting. All Library programs can be found our online events calendar and through our monthly newsletters.
Have questions about anything discussed here or want help finding answers to specific financial topics? Call our Answer Center at 970-221-6740 or talk to a librarian next time you’re in the library.