Kids

Talking to Your Kids About Money

I was on KUSA-TV to discuss National Money Night Talk and my new book, Not Your Parents’ Money Book. Have a look at the video clip below to hear what I discussed.

Kids and a Cashless Society

I was interviewed by On the Money Radio about my new book, Not Your Parents’ Money Book and National Money Night Talk. Here’s a link to the audio, in case you missed it.

National Money Night Talk: Tips for Kids

This is a really exciting week around here, what with the launch of my new book (if you missed it, you can find more information about Not Your Parents’ Money Book here) and the National Money Night Talk tomorrow night.  Leading up to The Talk, American Express and I asked a few popular personal finance blogs (PT Money, Moolanomy, and DoughRoller) to poll their readers for their favorite money saving tips for kids.  They came through – big time – and over the next couple days, I’m going to be sharing their ideas here, starting with these three from Moolanomy:

Plain and simple, learn how to make a budget. Not necessarily establish a budget as a teenager (it’s hard to establish a budget when you are working a part-time, minimum wage paying job), but learning how to create a budget can really help kids learn to manage their money and know what it takes to stay out of debt. I truly wish that budgeting was a required class in all schools.

Start a retirement account now. Even if you can only put in a few dollars a month to start, it will help you develop a habit of saving while putting compound interest to work for you.

Don’t go into debt if at all possible. Plan ahead instead and pay cash for large purchases.

Teaching Kids Financial Independence

I was on LX.TV to talk about my new book, Not Your Parents’ Money Book. Take a look at the video below and hear what I discussed.

Co-Signing to Custody Battles on Money 911

Today’s expert panel tackled your tough financial questions. Does co-signing for a student loan affect your credit score? How do you get a credit card company to lower your interest rate? Where do you go for legal representation during a custody battle as a single working parent? For answers to these questions and more watch the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

The Money Mom: A New Book For Your Kids

I wanted to take some time this week to let you know about my latest book, out this week. This book isn’t written for you though, at least not directly. It’s for your kids, and it’s called Not Your Parents’ Money Book: Making, Saving, and Spending Your Own Money.

I spend a lot of time and ink talking about the importance of teaching your kids about money, and a huge part of that lesson is simply having a conversation, or a series of conversations, with them. This book will supplement those talks.

Before I started writing it, I spent months hosting focus groups with junior high and middle school students around the country so I could find out exactly what they’re interested in when it comes to money.   I asked whether they have bank accounts, how much a concert ticket costs, and what they think President Obama’s salary is.  And then I listened, while they asked questions of me.   They wanted to know where, exactly, money comes from, why it makes people crazy, and whether banks are really a safe place to keep it. More…

Ask Jean: How to Help Your Kids Build Credit

My daughter just started her college and would like to know if she should apply for her own credit card or I should add her as an additional user? I want to make sure she has good credit score throught her life.
Thanks, Sonny

Hi Sonny,
This is a very timely question — not just because your daughter just started college, but because of the recent changes in credit card rules under the CARD act. At this point, unless she has income of her own that she can document or is 21, she can’t get her own credit card. So that takes that option off the table. Now, let’s talk about whether you should add her as an additional user to your card. This comes with some risk. If your daughter uses your card above and beyond the level you agreed to allow her to use it, then your financial life and your own credit score could be at risk as well as hers. I know of an issuer that will allow you to add your daughter to build her credit score without putting your finances at risk: the American Express Charge card. More…

Saving and Building Credit on Money 911

Today’s panel talked about planning for retirement while saving for your child’s education. What to do if you’re underwater on your mortgage. Where to find the best credit cards when trying to increase your credit score. For answers to these questions and more watch the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

Calling All Teachers

Dear Teachers,

I have a homework suggestion for the night of September 16 — charge your students to go home and talk with their parents about money.

As I’m sure you know, we have a financial literacy crisis in America.  All too often, kids don’t have a good grasp on the basics of money management, and neither do their parents.  So, working with the Council for Economic Education, and with the support of American Express, I developed a set of tools parents can use to talk to their kids about money – and vice versa. More…

Today’s Money 911

This morning’s expert panel looked into your financial emergencies. How can a single parent save money for college? What is the process to remove negative activity from your credit report? For answers to these questions and more watch the video clip below.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy