GIVING your children pocket money is a great way to teach them how to budget.
And encouraging them to earn their pennies is also a valuable lesson in responsibility.
Here are some ideas to get kids managing their own cash.
CHORES: Children love a cash reward for little jobs such as tidying their room or helping with the cleaning.
This can also help instil the idea of working for your money — plus you get a helping hand around the house.
However, some parents may prefer kids learning to do their bit without a financial incentive.
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BANK ON IT: Handing over physical pocket money is fine, but as more businesses become cashless, a card might be easier. It offers more protection if it gets lost as it can be cancelled, whereas cash could be gone for good.
From age 11, you can open a kids’ bank account, which is fee-free and comes with a debit card. Children are not allowed to go into an overdraft.
APPY SPENDING: There are a number of specific pocket money cards and apps which can be used by younger children, from the age of six.
Preloaded cards are similar to a debit card and the corresponding apps allow parents to keep an eye on where their kids are spending. You will usually get an instant alert when the card is used.
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Some of these accounts come with a small monthly charge. However, there are free options. If you’re a NatWest customer, you can join Rooster Money for free, saving on the annual £19.99 charge. Or HyperJar offers a free prepaid debit card and app.
SAVINGS: It’s important to educate youngsters on the benefits of saving if they’ve got their eye on an expensive purchase or have a special occasion, such as a holiday, coming up.
You can set up physical envelopes or jars for cash.
Alternatively, HyperJar lets you create individual digital pots for different things.
Setting up savings accounts together is a good opportunity to talk about the idea of earning interest on your money.
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