home, food, and by all means, toys.
2.    Piggy banks are a great way to teach budgeting. For instance, Money Savvy Generation, www.msgen.com, offers a piggy bank that has four chambers: save, spend, donate, and invest. Teach your child what the categories mean, and explain what percentage of her money should go into each.
3.   Grocery shopping can be made into a finance game. At the register have your kids guess the total bill. As they get a little older, share your grocery list and budget in order to help them learn how you stay within your means. Making choices is a big part of personal finance.
4.    When the family is out to dinner, let your child choose whether he would like a soda or water with his meal. If he chooses water, explain that you’ll give him the money you would have spent on the soda. If he chooses soda, he forfeits the cash.
5.   Understanding the concept of money is the first step. Start by explaining that you go to work for eight hours every day in order to pay for your home, food, and by all means, toys.
6.   A prepaid debit card can be an essential tool to teach budgeting and credit, because an all cash allowance can be impractical. Each week, fill the card with a set dollar amount and have your child manage the money to pay for his expenses–lunch, maybe a few song downloads on iTunes, etc. Over time, fill the card less frequently so your child will need to budget more effectively.
7.   Encourage your kids to save by promising to match every dollar they put away. For example, if they deposit $40 into a savings account, tell them you will add an additional $40 into their account. If that price is too high, you can match some lesser percentage as an incentive.
8.    Visit a local bank branch and have your child open an account. Start younger kids with a passbook savings account. As they move toward high school, make sure they have a debit card and open a checking account. When kids start to work part time, this exposure may help them avoid problems.
9.   Following a company’s stock will help your middle schooler understand the basics of the stock market. Choosing a company he can relate to, such as Disney or DreamWorks Animation SKG will make tracking the stock’s performance more engaging. Help older kids buy actual shares to understand the reality of investing.
10.   Starting a business is one of the best ways for your child to learn about money matters. Have her come up with a business idea–whether it’s a weekend activity or an online venture–and help her draft a business plan. This will prompt your child to approach you with money questions.
11.    Purchasing a car is a traditional rite of passage. When it’s time to purchase the next family car, take your high schooler along to the dealership. Explain every step of the experience, from test-driving to negotiating, to help him get a