jump-start on what to expect.
12.    Understanding credit is critical. Help your child by loaning her money to purchase something she wants but can’t afford. Before buying the item, have her come up with a repayment plan, and make sure she sticks to it. Also consider giving her a credit card linked to your account in case of emergency–early responsibility may help her avoid future pitfalls.
13.    Calculating the tip at restaurants will help your child improve her math skills. Let her practice computing the tip at the end of dinner without using a calculator. As a challenge have her try to calculate a 10% tip, a 15% tip and a 20% tip.
Raising Financial Whiz Kids: Information and Games
Gazillionaire.com: Provides a simulation game that gives kids the chance to build a business
RichKidSmartKid.com: The home of Cashflow for Kids, a computer game that helps kids learn about money and finance in an interactive way
VSE.MarketWatch.com: The Virtual Stock Exchange is a free online trading game that offers access to the resources of MarketWatch.com
YoungInvestor.com: Supplies a plethora of information and games about the stock market
Toys
Ages 3 to 8: Pretend & Play Calculator Cash Register, www.learningresources.com; $39.95
Ages 8 and up: YOUniverse Deluxe ATM Machine comes with a personal ATM card and PIN number. By Summit Products, available at www.amazon.com; $39.98
Entire family: Conversations to Go: The Game that Questions Money, includes 100 questions about money to help spark conversation with your kids. www.moonjar.com; $13.65
Books
Pigs Will Be Pigs: Fun with Math and Money, by Amy Axelrod (Aladdin; $6.99)
Raising Money Smart Kids: What They Need to Know About Money and How to Tell Them, by Janet Bodnar (Kaplan Business; $17.95)
Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money–That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not!, by Robert Kiyosaki with Sharon Lechter (Business
Plus; $16.95)