Dollars and Sense

Ages + Stages

Dollars and Sense: A Guide to Building Financial Literacy in Kids

What kids need to know at every age

By Malia Jacobson

American parents are talking to their kids about money, but kids may not be getting the message. While 68 percent of parents report talking to their young children about financial concepts, such as budgeting and debt, many adults report feeling uncomfortable and uninformed when having those conversations. Postponing the money talk puts U.S. teens behind the curve, financially speaking. The National Center for Education Statistics reports that nearly one-quarter of American 15-year-olds score below proficiency level on a financial literacy test, behind 15-year-olds in China, Australia and Belgium.