While it may seem strange or premature to talk with your kids about finances, student debt, loans and the like, these are topics you will want to address at some point. But you’re not alone when shying away from these types of discussions. A recent study reveals teaching financial education at an early age helps people develop stronger money management habits as adults. However, when it comes to talking with their children about money, BECU’s Finance and Parents Survey discovered parents simply aren’t having the conversation.

BECU, a community credit union, recently commissioned the survey of 1,000 U.S. adults to learn more about the relationship between parents, children, and finances and discovered:

  • While parents said they would rather talk about finances than sex with their kids, only 28% are doing so.
  • 82% of parents cite fear as a barricade when talking about finances with kids, but only 42% of parents admit they are afraid of having the conversation.
  • Even though respondents agreed that parents should lead the “money talk” with teens, nearly three in four parents believe that a financial professional is the best resource for teaching their kids about the topic.
  • Despite parents avoiding the conversation, the next generation understands the importance of financial health: 44% of Gen Z respondents noted “good spending habits” as the most important money lesson young people should know, followed by “how to create a budget” and “saving for emergencies.”

“Parents often talk with their children about many of life’s challenges. Yet, our survey shows they seem to be neglecting one very important topic: money,” said Stacey Black, BECU financial educator. “Whether parents are feeling afraid or unprepared, our goal is to help build their confidence with the right resources and advice to start the conversation and help prepare their kids for the financial realities of becoming an adult.”

Initiating the Next Big Talk
To help parents begin the money talk, BECU created the Next Big Talk conversation guide (available in English and Spanish on BECU.org), which focuses on the four areas of financial health: spend, save, borrow and plan.

Created in partnership with BECU financial educators, the guide includes:

  • Prompter questions to help spark a two-way discussion between parents and teens on managing money responsibly.
  • Activities that parents and teens can do together to reinforce smart money management.
  • Tips for managing cash flow, building up savings, managing debt responsibly and setting goals.

Whenever you decide to sit down with your kids and begin talking with them about finances is certainly up to you but with some help from a professional financial educator or using The Next Big Talk conversation guide may make it a lot easier.

Source: BECU