Children learn from watching their parents or caregivers earn, shop, save and borrow. As the top influence in their financial lives, you do not need to be a money expert to help them start out strong. As adults, most see financial well-being as: having control over day-to-day, month-to-month finances, capacity to absorb a financial shock, being on track to meet financial goals and having the financial freedom to make the choices that allow them to enjoy life. By helping your children develop important behaviors, knowledge, skills and personal traits, you can help put them on a path to financial well-being.

Whether it is on purpose or not, your children are continually watching and listening, so they might absorb more than you think. When you shop for a bargain, or splurge on a treat, or plan a special occasion, you’re showing your kids how you think about money.

Because children often draw they own conclusion from your actions, their conclusion may not be what you intended. Try thinking out loud in the presence of your children. When you think out loud, you clarify what you are doing and why. Try getting into the habit of thinking out loud during your day-to-gay money and time management, so your kids can follow along.

Here are three steps to turn your next shopping trip into a chance for your children to build their money skills.

1. Make your shopping list together. Talk about your family’s upcoming schedule or events, what are you going to need for meals and snacks or other non-food items that you are going need, such as, items for a school project. Ask your kids to check the cabinets or think about things they use each week to assist in preparing the shopping list. This is the perfect opportunity to introduce the idea of a budget. Talk about keeping track of expenses such as food so you have enough for other things, like gas or the cable bill. Let them see that making a list helps make sure you do not buy things you do not need and overspend, even if it means cutting back on a few extra items you want.

2. Talk as you shop in the store. Share your reasoning with them. Each item you put in the cart is a chance to tell your kids why you are buying it instead of a similar item at a different price point. Older children can help you comparison shop and find ways to save by choosing a different brand or quality. As you shop, you can refer back to your budget. If your child asks for something not on the list, you can work together to evaluate if it is okay to purchase. Maybe the item is on sale, or you have a coupon. Other times, you may have to wait to buy something.

3. As you shop, you might have a running total of the cost in your head so you are not surprised by the amount. What if instead you did the math out loud so your kids can hear or have them keep track for you?

For additional ways to help your children develop money skills, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has many activities and conversation starters for different ages at http://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/.

Additional information is available by contacting Janell at the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3036, janellb@montana.edu or in the Chouteau County Courthouse at 1308 Franklin St in Fort Benton.

Follow us on Facebook @ChouteauCountyExtension to keep up to date on what is happening in Chouteau County Extension and 4-H.

Montana State University, US Department of Agriculture and Montana Counties Cooperating. MSU Extension is an equal opportunity/affirmative action provider of educational outreach.