To build kids’ money-handling habits— better Start Young

By: Linda Carlson with Evangelical Christian Credit Union

One sure way to strengthen your child’s money skills

Every parent who has passed the toddler-wrangling stage knows that kids learn by watching, and then doing—why else would we buy a lock for a toilet seat? So, when it comes to practical life skills, we’re always looking for safe ways to give our kids some hands-on experience.

For example, to raise a talented baseball player, we start young by instilling basic skills through a game like T-ball (cue parent, lurching backward to avoid getting kneecapped by a miniature bat). In the same way, to develop our kids into financially savvy adults, we also start young, teaching them basic stewardship skills like saving and responsible spending.

Or at least we try.

It’s time to send the pig packing

In the past, we’ve all used similar financial tactics:  encourage our kids to stuff a piggy bank with cash until there’s some unexpected need to emaciate the poor porker, and then we start the process all over again. Or, if you’re one of those organized parents, you may have three separate pigs for spending, saving and giving.

While those are useful (and possibly Pinterest-worthy) tools, let’s take this kid-focused financial training one step further by introducing some real banking tools made just for kids.

It’s amazing what happens when you Start Young

Give kids hands-on experience with handling money like you do, but with you by their side. Get them prepared to grow up little by little each year using tools like  ECCU’s Start Young Savings and Spending Accounts. Start Young is a program designed by Christian parents like us at Evangelical Christian Credit Union (ECCU) with 50+ years of banking experience behind them.

It’s one thing to know about saving and spending, but when kids see what they save and what they spend, it’s a whole new kind of learning. You wouldn’t give a 16-year-old keys to the car unless they had lots of practice and teaching by you, their parent. Well, it’s the same with money and banking. Give them lots of hands-on opportunities to learn, but with a safety net.

For kids 7-days to 17-years old, Start Young Accounts offer age-appropriate digital banking tools, but with safeguards, limits, and options and that you control. And it costs you nothing—no monthly maintenance fees, no minimum balances. Each account also comes with its own Start Young Visa^® Debit Card—allowing you to teach your children the basics of using money in a digital world, safely and at your own pace, all with limits and controls that you set.

Let’s face it, your child sees you using your card all the time. Have you taught them how it works and how to use it wisely? The card can help you teach your kids to make their own responsible purchases online or in a store; all while you control the spending limits and digitally monitor their account from anywhere online or in the app. Just imagine helping your teens build healthy spending habits years before they get tempted with those first credit card offers.

Start Young, finish strong

It’s never too early to understand money, so Start Young Accounts offer your kids grown-up banking features that grow with them. It’s the best way to help your child discover the rewards of saving and spending responsibly—together!

Get access to other helpful articles about homeschool and family finances to give your family a better jump on preparing your children to handle money well.

Click on the articles below to get more great ideas and helps on parenting financially responsible children.

Pizza Prepares Kids To Make Sense of Money.

Common Sense Saving Skills That Aren’t So Common.

Ages and Stages For Teaching Kids To Save.

Also, be on the lookout for our brand new, totally free  Homeschool Financial Counselor program! COMING SOON!

Who is ECCU? Since 1964, ECCU has provided excellent banking products and services to members located all over the world. But that’s what you might expect from any credit union. It’s what’s going on behind the scenes that really sets us apart. Click here to learn more about how ECCU helps you

Put Your Money Where Your Heart Is.