Ever forget your child's allowance?

MoneyTrail automatically keeps track of allowances and keeps you organized.

Every Dollar Counts!

Teach your child to keep track of their money. It reduces impulse spending.

Finances shouldn't cause headaches!

Practicing money skills when young can lead to stress-free, responsible finances as an adult.

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Guest Blog for the Johns Creek Patch: Helping Teens Avoid Impulse Spending

In this week's guest post with the Johns Creek Patch, I talk about 8 Questions to Help Teens Avoid Impulse Spending.  With summer jobs and extra babysitting money, teens often have more money available to spend.  Go through these 8 questions with your teen to help them hang on to their money instead of spending it on the latest, greatest gadget!  Read the article...

Monday, June 27, 2011

Summer Reading: Books for Kids & Teens about Money

The lazy, hot days of summer are a great time for kids and teens to explore some great books.  Here are four reviews of books, two for kids and two for teens, that can initiate excellent conversations about money and entrepreneurship.

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Father's Day Lessons: Tears, Snow Cones and Business Skills

With Father’s Day just around the corner, my thoughts this week have been on my Dad and the lessons I have learned from him over the years.  Back in May, I wrote about my Mom (for Mother’s Day) and after writing that post, I knew immediately what I wanted to write about for Father’s Day.  This is for you, Daddy!

One of my Dad’s hobbies/talents was making jewelry and working with rocks.  He taught classes in Lapidary (the art of transforming stones, minerals and gemstones into decorative art).  I was definitely a Daddy’s girl and would hang out with him at class or in the basement when he was working.  I learned how to cut, polish and facet stones at an early age.

Thursday, June 9, 2011

"Earn It, Learn It" Takes Allowance to a Whole New Level


by Alisa T. Weinstein
Earn It, Learn It is a new twist on a traditional allowance.  Alisa developed this program after a “light bulb” moment with her daughter in a department store.  Her daughter wanted yet another glittery lip balm to add to her collection.  Alisa told her daughter that if she wanted it, she needed to get a job!  That moment was the beginning of the Earn My Keep allowance program.   Alisa describes it best ---Earn My Keep is an easy-to-do parent/child program that helps kids ages four to twelve earn money for exploring and experiencing real careers.  Kids pick a task from one of fifty career profiles, complete it within a set amount of time, and earn a set amount of money.”

Sunday, June 5, 2011

Getting Teens to Determine their Net Worth

As our kids have gotten older and are well into their teens, we have noticed that their money management needs have grown and changed also.  They are earning larger amounts of money, saving for larger goals and juggling cash, credit with us and multiple gift cards.  Throw in the occasional check from Grandma and the chances of items getting lost, forgotten or spent on impulse grow tremendously.  Our teens have moved beyond the piggy bank or simple allowance systems.  However, they aren’t ready for credit cards or online banking.

Friday, June 3, 2011

Pam' Picks: Folks who are Making a Difference in the Financial Literacy World





Each week, I spend a lot of time reading new articles and blogs about kids, teens, money and financial literacy.  I'll even pop over to YouTube and see what's going on over there. In "Pam's Picks", I will share some great articles and videos with you.




I just wrapped up several weeks of volunteering at our local elementary school with Junior Achievement.  I spent one week with fourth grade students and another week with second grade students.  Words can’t describe how impressed I was with the Junior Achievement program and also with the response from the students.  The kids were excited to learn about businesses and money management, were creative with their ideas and were very thoughtful in their decision making processes.  I left feeling optimistic and enthusiastic about financial literacy.  This week, I decided to collect articles about people or organizations who are making a positive difference in the world of financial literacy.