Kids and Money Series - Learning Goals for Ages 11 to 13

As our children get older, especially as they enter middle school, they should be having increasing responsibilities around money. Kids and money management don't always go hand in hand at this stage. Use these milestones to ensure they are getting the financial education they need at their ages.

•    Encourage your kids to have money goals and help them keep track of their successes. Plan for a day trip for the family to a place your pre-teen wants to visit and create a budget with goals for that event.

•    Teach your kids about investing versus savings. Expose them to tangible and fun investments like coin collecting as a way to encourage learning about money growth and wealth building strategies.

•    Foster an appreciation for an entrepreneurial spirit. Have your kids look up young, successful entrepreneurs to share their stories with the rest of the family. Discuss what types of self-employment your child may be interested in pursuing to open the doors of possibility to them at their impressionable age.

•    Don't forget to include charity in your kids and money education plans. Whether it's paying tithes to your place of worship or volunteering at your local nursing home, discovering the true value of what is really important in life should be included in everyone's financial education.