Money Matters With Children: How And When To Talk About Wealth

Discussing family wealth, budgets and financial plans with your children can be an uncomfortable conversation to initiate as a parent. When should you start? Who can help facilitate these discussions? From my years of working with families, I understand these concerns, and I’m here to share some insights on how I can help families navigate these essential conversations.

Facilitating Discussions Around Money

There are a lot of emotions that are tied into money conversations, and it can be a really triggering topic for people. We strongly advice to bring in a multifamily office like The Legacy Haus that will serve as a neutral 3^rd party to broker the discussion with your children. Here are a few compelling reasons to start the conversation:

1. Financial Responsibility: Teaching children about money instills a sense of responsibility. It helps them understand that money isn’t limitless and should be managed wisely.

2. Future Success: Financially literate children are better equipped to navigate the complexities of adulthood, from budgeting and saving to investing and debt management.

3. Values and Priorities: Money conversations provide an opportunity to discuss family values and priorities. It helps children understand the importance of charitable giving, saving for goals, and planning for the future.

4. Avoiding Pitfalls: Financial literacy can protect children from common financial pitfalls like overspending, debt accumulation, and falling victim to financial scams.

Establishing a budget for your child

A budget is not about being restrictive; it’s about creating a plan. Just like adults budget to allocate money to the things that matter most, children can benefit from learning this skill. Here’s a simple guideline:

• Preschool Years: Teach basic money concepts by using everyday examples. When they receive an allowance or gift money, discuss saving a portion, spending a portion, and perhaps even sharing a portion.

• Elementary School: Start providing a small allowance. Also provide treats tied to responsibilities (like chores). This teaches kids that money is earned and can be budgeted for different purposes.

• Middle and High School: As children grow, so can the complexity of their budget. Encourage them to save for specific goals, like buying a toy or gadget, and introduce concepts like income, expenses, and savings percentages.

How The Legacy Haus Multifamily Office can help.

As a multifamily office, we are well-versed in the intricacies of family wealth, financial planning, and legacy preservation. Our role is to facilitate these conversations in a way that is informative, comfortable, and tailored to your family’s unique needs. Here’s how we can assist:

1. Neutral Third Party: Sometimes, children may be more receptive to financial advice from a neutral third party. We act as neutral mediators, alleviating the emotional stress often tied to money discussions. Our expertise allows us to ask the right questions and guide the conversation toward productive outcomes.

2. Expert Guidance: We have financial experts who can provide age-appropriate financial education to children. We can explain investment strategies, savings plans, and the importance of diversification in a way that’s easy for children to understand.

3. Family Legacy Planning: Our multifamily office helps families incorporate their values and financial priorities into a comprehensive legacy plan. This includes trusts, strategies for charitable giving, investments and preserving wealth for future generations.

4. Financial Planning: We help you create a financial plan that aligns with your family’s values and goals. This plan serves as a roadmap for wealth preservation and generational success.

5. Customised Solutions: Every family is unique, and our approach reflects that. We tailor our services to fit your specific circumstances, whether you’re a family business owner, entrepreneur, or simply a parent looking to secure your family’s financial future.

While discussing money with your children can be challenging, it’s a crucial aspect of their financial education. Starting early and enlisting the help of a third party like The Legacy Haus can make these conversations more productive and less emotionally charged. And, we’re not just about discussions; we build structures to grow your wealth for generations.

Together, we can empower your family with the knowledge and skills needed for financial success and legacy preservation. Let’s start the conversation today.