Posts Tagged ‘kids and money’

5 Questions Every Parent Needs to Ask Before Helping a Child Get Out of Debt

Monday, August 16th, 2010

We don’t sound the debt alarm very often, but when it comes to young adult children asking their parents for help with debt, well, the alarm bells start ringing!

These days, even 19-year-olds can be riddled with debt. Student loans, car loans, credit card debt can add up quickly, leaving young people buried in debt before they’ve even cashed their first paychecks. Sadly, debt follows young people for a long time.

As parents, you have to make some tough decisions about how much help to give your child when she ends up deep in debt. Before you write a check, ask yourselves these questions:

1. Where did this debt come from?

2. Have we bailed our child out before?

3. How can we help our child think differently about spending, saving, and debt?

4. When should reality hit?

5. How can we use this conversation to strengthen our relationship with our child?

Read the details in this week’s Money Couple Minute HERE.

Read all the Money Couple Minutes HERE.

View the Money Couple interview answering viewer questions.
View the Money Couple Interview

Step-kids and College: 5 Ways to Make Sure Everyone is Happy

Monday, July 5th, 2010

Figuring out how to pay for your child’s college education can be a major financial headache. Add the complex dynamics of a blended family to that situation and the stress level can go through the roof!

But it doesn’t have to be that way. With some honest conversation, a clear plan, and a solid sense of reality, you can find your way through the sometimes-choppy process of making financial decisions with your child’s other parents without creating new problems.

Get the 5 keys to a successful arrangement HERE.

View all the Money Couple Minutes HERE.

Love and Money on ABC News

6 Steps to Helping Your Adult Children Financially

Monday, March 1st, 2010

Every parent knows that our care and concern for our children doesn’t stop when they hit adulthood. But most of us are a little unclear on how that care should play out financially. Trying to figure out when and how to help adult children with money problems can lead parents into all kinds of financial miscommunication and conflict.

It doesn’t have to be that way. While the best approach for you will, of course, depends on the situation, there are 6 guidelines you need to keep in mind as you make financial decisions about your adult children.

1. Know your child’s Money Personality - Read more here

2. It’s ok not to play fair - Read more here

3. Respect each other - Read more here

4. Don’t hurt yourselves to take care of your kids - Read more here

5. Decide if there will be strings - Read more here

6. If there are strings, get them in writing - Read more here

Read this week’s entire Money Couple Minute - HERE.

Get Your Kids Excited About Giving

Monday, November 23rd, 2009

Every parent wants to raise compassionate, generous children. Giving to others should and can be fun, it doesn’t have to be the financial equivalent of eating your vegetables. With the right approach, practicing generosity can build family unity, develop a deep sense of compassion in your kids, and teach them invaluable financial communication skills that will carry over into their everyday lives.

Take a look at this weeks Money Couple Minute on “Getting Your Kids Excited About Giving.” In it you’ll find some practical and fun ways to get your kids involved in a positive way this holiday season. While you’re there, be sure to check out the other Money Couple Minutes for the holidays.