"I'm not afraid of storms, for I am learning how to sail my ship." -Louisa May Alcott

Can you believe how fast April flew by! Well, maybe I'm still recovering from tax season, but I'm gobsmacked to be here at May's doorway.

During tax season, as I worked with families to help them save on their taxes, I got to spend a good amount of time helping them sort through attitudes about life, money and values. For many parents, in particular, they undergo estate planning for this very reason.

But one of the more difficult tasks for me is when I meet with a family who doesn't have the confidence they wish they would have about how their children would handle finances, down the line.

At the point of making these decisions, we can advise them how to put into place a whole range of mechanisms which will ensure that financial assets are properly distributed, when the time does come. By the way, if this is a service you're interested in, do give us a call: (818) 632-2053

But wouldn't it be great if our children had the experience and self-control to handle money, starting at an early age?

[Before I get to that, though ... (If you haven't already done so) would you take three minutes, right now, to jot me back a quick email about your experience with me? It really helps me to evaluate my season. Plus, it's helpful feedback for new and potential clients. I've found that I can "promise the moon"  with a potential client, but they really want to hear from somebody like YOU.

One more thing on this: could you be as specific as possible? You may not be comfortable disclosing savings amounts, refunds, etc, but as much as you're willing to share, would be great!

Thanks again...and THANK YOU for trusting me with your finances this year. I know how personal it is to you!]

Back to the children -- I've put together some pointers for you which will help your family raise children who "get it" when it comes to money. This is a great article to forward along to your friends and family, I think -- because it's an issue which we receive many in-person questions on, and can be somewhat controversial and difficult since on the one hand we want our children to have the best.  I know that I do.   On the other hand, we don't want them to be spoiled, feel entitled and lack work ethic.  You get my drift........................... 

And, of course, I'd love your thoughts (as usual!)...

Lawrence J. Danny's
"Real World" Personal Strategy
Danny's "Money Talk" For Children
As Americans try to spend less and go on a budget this provides an opportunity to teach the next generation financial principles they may never have seen in the prosperous years they have been alive. Here are my ten principles, which I often communicate in person, for teaching children about money:

1. Talk about money. Every time money is involved, parents have a chance to teach their children the values and analysis behind their actions. Money should never be the primary topic of discussion, but it is one of the most important topics through which we communicate our wisdom and values to our children. Every purchase, investment, or donation can be a time to teach your children something about your values.

2. Talk openly about money. Parents make a mistake when they keep information from their children. The only way children learn what is a good deal and what is too expensive is by the experience of what their family earns and what items cost. Hiding this information robs children of the financial education they need.

3. Talk factually about money. Many parents have strong emotions about money, based on their childhood experiences. These emotions are always transmitted to children. Instead of helping children, they can cripple children from growing to make sound financial decisions.

4. Require chores; pay for optional work. Everyone in the family has to help complete the work that needs to be done. If you want to pay your children, only pay them for optional work they can choose to do or not to do.

5. Provide children an allowance they can make real choices with. Talk about money is important, but children need real-world lab experience to understand the consequences of their decisions. Consider giving them an allowance large enough so that they can purchase some of their own needs. Then continue to give them honest advice, and help them ask the right questions to make wise decisions based on their values.

6. Help children prioritize purchases. Ask them if this purchase is better than other purchases they are considering making.

7. Help children comparison shop. Help them consider issues such as cost, quality, and convenience.

8. Require children to wait before making large purchases. Adults should wait at least a month whenever they are making a large purchase. Children shouldn't be expected to wait that long. Here is a good rule of thumb: Children should be required to wait as many days as they are old in years before being allowed to make a large purchase (over a week's allowance). There is always tomorrow...and over half the time they won't remember what attracted them to it in the first place. Developing this habit will help make them resistant to impulse buying.

9. Don't use money as a punishment. Your priority should be helping to give your values to your children, not buy their outward behavior.

10. Don't loan your children money! If their desired purchase is something they should be saving for, let them save for it. If you want to buy it for them for the value of the experience, buy it for them. The principles are, "If they want it, they have to save for it. If you want them to have it, you will buy it for them." Loaning your children money for items they want teaches them they aren't responsible and they don't have to prioritize.

Some may disagree with all of these admonitions--I don't intend to become a "parenting guru" in my spare time--but I do hope that, at minimum, this will help you be thinking about how your wishes get passed down.

With affection,


Lawrence J. Danny, CPA
www.cpaformerirsagent.com