The Art of Allowance: A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids

Are you worried that you're spoiling your child? Overwhelmed by how much stuff your child is accumulating? Wondering if and when an allowance might help? The Art of Allowance might be what you need. Just like reading, financial literacy must be introduced at a young age. You can help chart a course to youth financial responsibility via the core money-smart skills of distinguishing needs from wants, making smart money choices and saving for goals all while following age-appropriate guidelines. You need to encourage your preschool- or early elementary-aged child to use a system of allowance jars; your tween or teen can demonstrate more autonomy over his money with the help of the Breakthrough Allowance. You'll learn how to assign chores and invest and open savings accounts, to help you and your child navigate the ins and outs of fiscal responsibility. John Lanza, Chief Mammal of The Money Mammals and author of the "Share & Save & Spend Smart" trilogy that includes the Dr. Toy Award-winning children's books Joe the Monkey Saves for a Goal and Joe the Monkey Learns to Share, leverages more than a decade of experience teaching kids the basics of money smarts to lead you and your child on your own Art of Allowance journey-from birth to teen. What's more, he intersperses "Memos from the Chief Mammal," exploring the impact of commercialism and money's role in our lives to provide a broader context for the allowance journey upon which you and your child are embarking. Additionally, you and your child can explore a companion website, theartofallowance.com, which includes other resources such as fun financial literacy activities and supplementary readings. When used in conjunction with The Art of Allowance, these materials will help your child become money-smart and money-comfortable to live a happier, more fulfilled life. Don't be surprised if you find your own relationship with money changing as well!