San Diego, CA.   “Saying money doesn't grow on trees is not enough,” contends author Letia Young, who created two interactive money books for kids and young adults, using her son and two nieces as guinea pigs.

“Letia Young created these books after she was peppered with questions from adult couples she was teaching in a budgeting class. They wanted to know what they could use to teach their own children about money” said Paul Richard, a registered financial consultant (RFC) and executive director of the nonprofit Institute of Consumer Financial Education (ICFE), a San Diego based nonprofit group, that is making the 3 ring binder books available. The ICFE is helping people of all ages improve their spending habits, increase their savings and use credit more wisely.

The Money Book for Kids, ages 6-11, and the Money Book for Young Adults, ages 12-17 are hands-on, interactive books which include simple budgeting and savings concepts presented in a personal, interactive style. The three-ring binder books are divided into four categories: giving, spending, short-term savings and long-term savings. Colorful tabs, pouches for money, example cards for each category and “Keeping Track of My Money” pages guide children in setting realistic budget goals.

Children do not instinctively understand money matters. The author's goal was to create something kids and young adults could use with minimum assistance from their parents. Something the youngsters could call their very own. The author designed these books with four things in mind: 1) they are practical; 2) they are tangible (most of us learn by actually doing); 3) they are realistic (frustration is no fun); and 4) kids learn something from them (as evidenced by the budget, goals and tracking pages in the book).

The books presume the child receives an allowance, even if it is not linked to household chores. The amount of the allowance is not as important as the fact that the youngster can call it her or his own money, the author tells parents in her budgeting classes. “Kids need an allowance to learn how to use money,” she said. “It's important for them to understand that they can save for something and earn it over a period of time.”

The Money Book for Kids, ages six through eleven, and the Money Book for Young Adults, ages 12-17 are $19.95 each plus $3 shipping. They are available from the ICFE on its Web site at www.icfe.info or by sending
to: ICFE, PO Box 34070, San Diego, CA. 92163.

For more information on children and money, plus some fun financial education books and videos, please send $1 and a self-addressed, double stamped envelope to: ICFE Resource Center PO Box 34070 San Diego, CA
92163. OR . . . Visit : www.icfe.info.