Kids Money Memories

What memories about money do you want to make for your kids now? I asked this question to a collection of individuals. Can you share with me some experiences as a child that left a memorable impression?   

Disney is by far the biggest hit with kids, but do your kids know how much it cost to get there? Maybe a way to make it even more special is to incorporate them into the saving process or having them make money specifically for the trip. When they ask for something in the gift shop, do they understand how much it costs or what the mark up is on purchasing directly from Disney? What if you use that as a learning opportunity to explain they can get something outside of the resort for a lot cheaper. Include kids in your thought process and prioritization as it relates to spending, and they will get it!  

Beach trips regardless of the venue, hotel, staying at a family members house or camping, hands down some of the best memories are made at the beach.  

My friend’s mom would always give me a thoughtful impeccably wrapped Holiday gift every year. It wasn’t expensive, but it was the thought that always struck me - I can’t believe she thought about me and went through this trouble every year. As an adult it’s even more impressive, during the Holidays getting gifts for your own immediate family can be a struggle. Getting gifts for your kids friends is really going the extra mile.  

We have a bag of small toys (under $5 cost per toy) and whenever our son has a friend come over for the first time, we allow them to pick something from it (like going to the dentist). Afterwards, the parents always tell us how delighted their child was by that experience.

I’ll keep adding to these stories, as I have these conversations, it strikes me that none of these memories relate to material possessions. Kids fondest memories are of experiences, and how something made them feel and this should not come as a surprise, as it is normally the case for adults as well.