We all want our children to grow up making smart financial decisions, so here are a few easy tips to get your children started early learning skills they’ll use for a lifetime.

1. Start them early, as soon as they can count. Use money to practice counting (and eventually multiplying or using percentages). Have regular discussions about money—saving, spending and investing. Set goals, then set a great example!
2. Take them to the credit union to open their own account. It’s a great opportunity to explain how savings works. Don’t forget to take them to withdraw money every so often to purchase something they really want. Show them how they have less afterward, and how spending decisions work: spending for one thing means you won’t have money (or as much) to spend on something else.
3. When they’re old enough, give them an allowance, along with rules for saving some portion every week, and why charitable giving is important, too.
4. Use shopping as a way to teach them how to spend money wisely (grocery shopping is great). Show them that finding discounts, using coupons, and comparing products and prices can save money.
5. As they get older, have them work to make their own money (babysitting, paper route, etc.). There’s no better way to learn the value of money than seeing how much work it takes to get it.

There are also many websites with online games and tools to help kids and teens learn about finances online. Good luck raising your financial genius!