It's My Life . Parents/Teachers . Spending Smarts . Printable Discussion Questions

IML Quick Discussion Guide: Spending Smarts

Prior to using this Quick Discussion Guide, you and your child may want to do any or all of the following activities on "It's My Life":

Read the "Spending Smarts" article.
Work together to come up with a "You Said It" submission for this topic.
Print out the Word Search and/or IML Journal page “Spending Smarts.” Complete it together or encourage your child to complete it on his/her own.

Discussion Questions:

Are you sometimes tempted to spend money just for the sake of it?
Do you want to talk about ways you could spend less on the things you want or need?
Do you feel pressure to have all the latest things, like clothes, gadgets, etc.?
Does it feel like there’s no way to have a good time without spending money?
Do you feel like you’re a smart spender, or do you want to talk about ways you could improve?
Do you see ways where I can spend money a little more wisely? What are they?

Remember:
-- Children, like adults, often feel that spending money will make them feel better, or that a purchase will somehow instantly improve their lives. It’s important to help your kids view spending realistically.

-- The spending habits that lead to deep debt and bad credit can develop early in life. If your child learns how to control spending and be a smart consumer now, later problems may be less likely.