What To Tell Your Kids About Money - The 7 Essential Lessons
by Rachel Incoll

If I had a dollar for every time I have been asked by a parent what to tell your kids about money, I'd be a millionaire. There are many different aspects of money management you can & should tell your children about. Here I will share with you what I believe are seven of the most important principles

1. Money can be exchanged for goods or services.

This is one of the first few lessons you should teach your child once they are old enough to understand - usually around the age of 3 years. Next time you go down to the corner store to buy one or two items, let your child hand the money to the cashier. By doing so, they will gain a greater appreciation of the concept of being able to exchange money for things you want or need.

2. One should be careful with money.

Some people I know, seem to think that any coins with a value under 50 cents are just too small to be bothered using, and so when cleaning out their loose change from around the house will simply throw these smaller coins in the bin. What a waste! Encourage your child to be careful with all denominations of money, and show them how those small coins can add up, by starting a family small coins box. Maybe you could use the money to fund small family outings (a trip to the shop to get ice creams).

3. Money has to be earned.

There are many people in the world these days that don't seem to have ever learned this lesson. They sit around home and expect handouts so they can live, or turn to a life of crime to fund their existence. Be careful not to give your child money every time he or she asks, without expecting anything in return i.e. completion of household chores.

click here to continue reading...

In My Head I?m Still 20
by A Dude's Guide on Aug 6th

I’ve been thinking about age a lot lately. My mother-in-law is going to be 70 this year. My parents are both going to be 68 on their next birthdays. This can’t be possible. I mean, 65 and up is filled with decrepit old geezers just waiting out the end of their lives, not lively, fun, energetic parents who haven’t slowed down.

Of course, I used to think the same thing about 40-year-olds. *turns head and whistles tunelessly for a few seconds as no one contemplates just how far over 40 he really is* I’m sure to my little dudes, I’m this olde dude who’s edging into Methusela territory. But in my head I’m still 20.

When I think of myself, I think of that dude, just out of his teens and hitting his stride as a (semi) adult and learning more about the world with the passing of every day. Full of vim and vigor and who’d never be caught saying something so darn old as vim and vigor.

I like to think we’re living longer because we’re all eating better and (if we can afford it) getting better medical care. And maybe all that is working together to — to strangle a cliché — make 50 the new 40 and so on. I really don’t know what’s causing it, but I must say it’s causing me a lot of trouble having to adjust my way of thinking about people of different ages. Of course, now I’ve got more time to get that adjustment in, so there’s that.

– Richard

A Dude's Guide is a supposed to be a funny and insightful look into what it takes for a Dude to be a better person. We are not saying that we are exceptional, insightful or funny people; but we try. We will use our experiences and adventures and misadventures to try to help other Dude's learn and contribute to this blog. Subscribe to A Dude's Guide blog for fatherhood advice and topics from Daddy Dudes!