Parenting in Focus: Teens and money

Published 1:30 am Friday, November 21, 2025

By Cynthia Martin

If there’s one area where teens often get in over their heads, it’s money. And honestly, that’s not entirely their fault; many parents feel uncomfortable talking about finances. Maybe they’ve struggled with debt themselves or just don’t know where to start.

But here’s the thing: your child doesn’t need you to be a financial expert — they need you to be honest. Start with real-life examples. Show them your credit card bill and break down how much you’re paying in interest. Walk through your car payment and point out how much of it isn’t going to the car itself. Talk about how a home loan works and how long it takes to pay off.

These conversations might feel awkward, but they’re invaluable. Teens today are still being targeted by flashy credit card offers, and with one impulsive decision, they can get stuck in debt before they even know what interest means.

So talk to them. Talk about overdraft fees. Talk about what happens when you bounce a check (or when your bank account goes negative). Talk about how to budget, track spending, and build credit. These aren’t just numbers — they’re life skills.

And don’t wait until high school. You can start laying the foundation early. If your child gets an allowance, help them break it into categories: save, spend, and give. Even preschoolers can learn that money has a purpose and a limit.

The truth is, some of the most important financial education happens at home, not in a classroom. The sooner (and more often) you talk about it, the more confident your child will be with money when it really counts.