When it comes to our children, we try to do everything that we can to prepare them for the future that we want them to have and most often the future that they want as well. There are four things that your child needs to understand about money and financial wellness. As a parent, it is important that you take the time to go over these four things and help them plan for a solid financial foundation in the future. When you take the time to do this, you are showing your child how to manage their financial wellness at a young age.
Asset and Liabilities
The first thing that you want to go over with them is the difference between an asset and a liability. Assets will put money in their pockets while liabilities will take money out. The more assets that someone has, the better prepared they are when anything takes a hit at their financial foundation. This is a reality that the world is seeing in full color right now with the current pandemic going on. When you teach your child to maintain as many assets as they can you are teaching them the importance of being prepared for whatever it is that the future might bring.
Cashflow and capital gains
The next thing that you want to go over is the difference between cash flow and capital gains. When you invest with the idea of capital gains, you have no actual control over whether or not things go up or down. When you invest with the purpose of maintaining and building cash flow, you have the benefit of having a long term asset in place that you can have bringing you in funds on a regular basis.
Good debt and bad debt
You also want to discuss with them the difference between good debt and bad debt. Bad debt would fall under things like credit cards, vacations or other mundane things you do not necessarily need. Good debt is found in examples such as rental properties where the tenant would pay your debt for you and grow into long term cash flow. Most good debt like the provision of housing for others can also acquire you some tax breaks as well.
Financial self-education
Make sure that your children understand that they need to have their own financial education as well. Having wealth and not understanding that wealth is useless at its core. You never want them to be in a position where they have to rely on other people in order to figure out what they need to do with their own money. When they have the knowledge to know what is best to do with their money, then they can move forward to having a better financial future.
Conclusion
Making sure that your children have a solid foundation for their financial future is important. It is your responsibility to give your best shot at a solid foundation in the future. Take the time to teach your children about financial wellness and they will forever be grateful for it. They will appreciate that you took the time to prepare them for their future.