- Start at an early age. Bring your kids to the credit union or bank when it's time to deposit coins from the piggy bank, or they receive birthday money or allowance. Help them get comfortable and view staff as a resource to help them.
- Have your child start a budget. There are items they can budget for like a new video game or toy. Consider having older kids pay their portion of the monthly cell phone bill. Tracking their savings will prepare them for making bigger purchases as they grow.
- Include them in your household budget conversations. Start with the difference between the cost of a home cooked meal versus eating out. Being transparent about finances is positive for the entire family.
- Learn from each other. Financial education is becoming a requirement for students in Minnesota. Ask them questions about what they are learning, what tools or resources are out there and work through situations together.
Get smarter about your money with this Financial Wellness Minute. I'm Nicole Pfeffer, from Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union. April is National Youth Financial Literacy month. Here at Mid Minnesota, we partner with schools across 12 communities to help students learn about money. Here are some ways to continue the conversation at home.