Teaching the Next Generation: Financial Literacy as a Family Value

Passing on wealth is one thing. Passing on the knowledge and values to manage it well is another. Financial literacy is a family legacy that can help children and grandchildren make smart decisions and avoid costly mistakes, especially in an age where financial information (and misinformation) is just a click away.

Start Early, Talk Often

Whether your children are in middle school or entering adulthood, age-appropriate conversations about saving, spending and investing help normalize financial responsibility. Teaching kids how to budget their allowance or guiding a teen through their first paycheck builds confidence and understanding.

Bring Them Into the Conversation

As your children grow older, invite them to participate in family financial discussions. Show them how you evaluate investment opportunities, explain your estate planning choices or review charitable giving strategies together. These shared experiences can help demystify complex financial topics.

Tools That Empower

• Use financial apps to track budgets together.
• Set up a custodial Roth IRA for a working teenager.
• Host family meetings about major financial decisions or charitable giving.

Preparing for Wealth Transfer

Wealth can be a gift or a burden. Ensuring your heirs are financially literate helps protect their future—and the legacy you’ve built. Whether it’s understanding how to manage an inheritance or stewarding a family business, education is key.

A Legacy Beyond Dollars

When you prioritize financial literacy in your family, you’re not just preparing your loved ones for future responsibilities—you’re instilling confidence, capability, and shared values that will endure for generations.