ACA and its members are committed to promoting fiscal responsibility. Because the majority of money lessons are learned at home, we have developed this page to provide a variety of resources to help parents discuss money with their children.

Books

The Ultimate Parenting Map to Money Smart Kids by Linda Leitz
ACA member, Linda Leitz, CFP®, EA, authored this book which teaches parents how to educate their children on basic financial concepts so they can become savvy consumers.

The Teen Girl's Gotta-Have-It Guide to Money: Getting Smart About Making It, Saving It, and Spending It! by Jessica Blatt 
This book is a basic introduction to the world of money for teens; how to get it, save it and spend it. 

Capitate Your Kids, Give Your Kids a Financial Head Start by Dr. John E. Whitcomb
Families design and sign a contract detailing their mutual responsibilities, and parents agree not to interfere with their children's fiscal choices.

Website

Business Guide for Kids
This website, created by Business Insurance, provides resources and activities for kids related to business and money topics. Click on the "Business Guide for Kids" tab.

Tools

The Financial Life Cycle: The Formative Years
Many of the attitudes we have about money are formed during youth. The key to preventing financial dysfuncion in the future is to improve how we educate our children during the formative years.

The Money Savvy Pig
The Money Savvy Pig piggy bank has four chambers, one for each of the four money management choices a child should be taught from the time they are small. They are SAVE, SPEND, DONATE, and INVEST.

The Money Smart Kids Financial Training Kit
Developed by Annette and Steve Economides, authors of America's Cheapest Family, this system teaches basic money management skills while encouraging good attitudes about chores and school.

Three Jars - Allowance Made Easy
This website works like an online bank for kids aged 6 to 13 but uses IOUs representing real money to help kids learn about saving, spending and sharing their allowances. 

Articles

"Teaching Kids About Money" by Scott Reeves (Forbes)

"Money 101: Kids and Money" (CNNMoney.com)

"Too Young to Fail? Teaching Kids About Money" by Jeff D. Opdyke (Wall Street Journal)

Blogs

The Ultimate Allowance: Financial Intelligence for Kids and Teens by Elizabeth Donati

Helping Kids Get Smart About Money by Susan Beacham