Do you engage your family in discussions about money?  Specifically, topics like giving, saving and spending? It’s surprising how many families don’t talk to their kids about money.

Below are some good money conversation starters for older kids, a sampling of questions from Sharesavespend.com’s set of Family Money Talks discussion starter cards. They provide an easy way to begin talking about money with your family.

1. At what age should a person get his or her first credit card?

2. When was the last time you said, “I’d rather share money than spend it?”

3. If you could cut $500 from your monthly spending, what would go?

4. What is your earliest memory of sharing money with a cause you care about?

5. If you knew your family’s income would disappear at the end of the year, what wouldn’t you spend money on now?

6. How often do you eat out? How much would your family save if you ate at home?

7. What can you do to reach the recommended goal of saving 10% of your income?

8. Do you know a person who is a good role model for sharing?

9. How do you choose whether to keep, toss, give, or sell something you don’t use?

10. When have you bought something because someone else thought you should?

Learning about saving, for kids

If you have younger kids and are working to teach them money basics and good financial habits, you might also check out Interest.com’s A Kid’s Guide to Saving, an interactive booklet to teach kids about the concept of saving. It’s well done, covering the basics in a fun way.

Be creative and have fun as you engage with your family on the topics of saving, sharing and spending. Part of your family legacy is teaching your children and grandchildren about money, both what it’s for and how to use it well.

Bill High

Bill is CEO & Founder of Vyne Legacy. He works with families to equip them with tools to build multigenerational legacies, and he teaches givers and financial advisers on transformational biblical generosity. He is the co-author with David Green of Giving It All Away and Getting It All Back Again: The Way of Living Generously.

Published March 7, 2017

Topics: Culture Commentary

Great Questions