For kids, money can be confusing. Not only for adults, but children alike. Learn how to help children develop respect for money, demystify the concept of money, and help kids develop a strong sense of the value of money. By the Robert J. Semrad Foundation in Chicago, IL

1. KEEPING KIDS OUT OF DEBT:
TEACH ABOUT MATH NOT MONEY
https://www.debtstoppers.com

2. Much has been made following the last
economic recession about how to educate
consumers and prepare them to avoid debt.
More than 43 states have mandated some form
of financial readiness courses at the high school
level, and efforts are being made to increase
that number.
FINANCIAL EDUCATION
FOR KIDS IS IMPORTANT

3. However, studies suggest it’s
not money skills that prepare
students to be future
responsible consumers, it’s
math.

4. “Although there are some
commonalities in the clients we help, I
can say that financial distress does
not discriminate. I’ve helped
individuals and families from all walks
of life”
- Robert Semrad, Senior Partner at
DebtStoppers and

5. Many people facing debt and/or
foreclosure or bankruptcy are
not even sure how it got to this
point, and it’s frequently not a
matter of ‘how’ but ‘why’

6. TEACH
THEM WHY
The studies say the same —
teaching the ‘how’ of money,
for example, balancing a
checkbook or managing a
balance sheet (frequent skills
learned in financial readiness
classes) don’t share with
students the context that
often trips them up later in
life. It’s the ‘why’ they
miss—the big picture of how
everything fits together.

7. “State mandates requiring high school
students to take personal finance
courses have no effect on savings or
investment behavior.”
- Harvard Business School Study

8. ADDITIONAL
MATHEMATIC
S COURSE IS
KEY
The 2014 study concluded
additional mathematics
courses are the key. Similar
to Semrad’s assertion, it
appears the context and
principles applied to a
financial problem better
determine how effective the
subject will be at conquering
the challenge.

9. “There are other pressures on young
people these days – not least of which are
stagnating wages and mounting college
loan debt. It’s definitely not about having
or not having individual skills; it’s the
mathematical certainty that more money
needs to come in than go out”
- Robert Semrad

10. “And, when you consider that many people
don’t have realistic means of ensuring they
can make more money than they need to
survive, they are coming out of high
school and college with debt already
floating their lifestyles, it’s easy to see that
yes, this is something to address in school.
We just need to do it correctly”
- Robert Semrad

11. TALK TO
KIDS WHEN
THEY ARE
YOUNG
Aside from getting your
kids into additional math
courses, talking to kids
about spending early and
at age-appropriate intervals
helps. Being a good
example and discussing
your own challenges can
help create a context for
kids.

12. “Many times you see entire families create
the same issues for themselves. It’s
important to face your own challenges and
let your kids see you succeed.”
- Robert Semrad

13. TEACH THEM
SAVINGS &
HOW TO
AVOID DEBT
 Teach them the
importance of saving and
avoiding debt
 Critical thinking is key
 Kids need to learn to
prioritize and do the
work needed to be a
responsible consumer
 Frequently talk about
debt and what kind of

14. IN SUMMARY  Financial education for
kids is important
 Put them in additional
mathematics course
 Teach them the why of
financial management
 Talk to kids when they
are young
 Teach them savings &
how to avoid debt

15. ABOUT
DEBTSTOPPER
S
 Our advice has helped
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16. FREE
CONSULTATIO
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17. If your goal is to be debt-free, but
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Call us today at 800-440-
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18. KEEPING KIDS OUT OF DEBT:
TEACH ABOUT MATH NOT MONEY
https://www.debtstoppers.com