Family Life

Understanding teenagers is sometimes a difficult job (07/09/2010)
(...) Remember there is perfection in all shapes and sizes. Your body type is uniquely yours, but, of course, your family genes help to determine your ultimate shape. Some girls have naturally larger builds and aren't meant to be skinny. (...)

Teach your children how to relate to money in a positive way (06/02/2010)
(...) Such pastimes can make the difference between getting accepted to college and being left behind. Let's take a look at the average week of a high school student. School days average seven hours, or thirty-five hours a week. (...)

Clothing advertisements might have a bad influence on your kids (06/02/2010)
(...) But it's hard to look at so much stuff on television and not wish that we could somehow afford it all so that we could look as happy as the paid actors in the commercials. If it's hard for us to overcome such corporate induced urges, imagine how much harder it is for our kids, who live by the opinions of their peers. Almost every parent has endured the trying task of back-to-school shopping, during which we discover that our children have extremely fixed - and expensive - ideas about what their classmates will deem acceptable. (...)

Show your kids how to save money and become successful (06/02/2010)
(...) . for just $5. Help your children understand what banks do, because banks play such an important part in all of our financial lives. (...)

How to explain loans and investments to your children (06/02/2010)
(...) You might show Skipper buying a new skirt from Barbie's store. Then you can showyour children that Barbie will pay back to the bank the money that she borrowed to open her store. Explain that Barbie actually pays the bank a little more than she borrowed - her interest on her loan. (...)

How to get your kids off brand names and buying expensive clothes (06/02/2010)
(...) Most celebrities have a distinct style that is readily recognizable to even the elementary school set. Have your children try to guess whose head belongs to each body. Help them along with ridiculous statements like "Wow, these ripped jeans look so Cher" or "Doesn't this gold chain look like something Will Smith would wear?" They'll know better and set you straight. (...)

Is your kid mature enough to handle a checking account (06/02/2010)
(...) You might ask, "Why does my thirteen-year-old need a checking account? What bills is she paying?" Again, the answer is all about habits. I want your children to start developing good banking habits when they're young because that's the way they'll handle money as adults. Responsible financial habits are learned at home. (...)

Discuss credit card debt with your teenage kids before they get into trouble (06/02/2010)
(...) I want you and your kids to understand the difference between these situations. If we owe a lot on our credit cards, that damages our financial position. If we don't make timely payments, that damages our credit rating and our future financial position. (...)

Try to discuss investments with the whole family (06/02/2010)
(...) If you are very aggressive, enjoy risk, and have time to let your money grow, you can choose aggressive growth–type funds. For older investors who are more interested in a fixed income, some funds specialize in stocks that pay secure dividends. There aremutual funds for every taste. (...)