Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money Hardcover – April 22, 2014

Synopsis:Financial guru Dave Ramsey and his daughter, Rachel Cruze, team up to teach parents how to “raise money smart kids in a debt-filled world.” Starting with how to teach your children to work, and continuing through what your child should do with their hard earned money (spend, save, give), Dave and Rachel talk about the principles of good money management for children as well as giving the reader plenty of stories of what life was like for the Ramsey kids. The second half of the book dives into more advanced issues such as how to be debt free for life, including how to go to college debt free.My Thoughts:I’m a huge Dave Ramsey fan and I’ve read a lot of his books, but this is his first book written with his daughter, Rachel. As usual, Dave presents a no nonsense, tell-it-like-it-is guide to raising money-smart kids. However, the addition of his daughter as an author changes the feel of the book. She offers story after story of what life was like growing up as “Dave Ramsey’s daughter.” The stories she adds give the book humor and somewhat soften Dave’s usual writing style.Reading a book with two authors can sometimes feel disjointed. Not so with this book. Dave and Rachel identify themselves before each section that they write. They also use two different fonts in the book (one for Dave and one for Rachel) to help the reader remember who is writing at that point. It’s a nice touch that helps make the book feel more connected.The information presented in Smart Money, Smart Kids is the same information that Dave Ramsey has been preaching for years, but it’s tailored to apply to children. Not only do we get stories of how these principles were applied to Dave’s own children growing up (which are the best parts of the book, in my opinion), but we find out specifically how to implement them in our own families. After talking about each concept in the book, Dave and Rachel break it down by age group and tell us how to apply that concept to our own children. For instance, in the chapter on saving, we’re told that kids younger than 6 need to see their money so it should be kept in a clear container. Six to thirteen year olds need to set small savings goals such as saving for a toy. And children ages 14-18, need to learn how to save for something big, such as a car or college. What you end up with is a very practical guide for how to train your children to handle money at every age.This is a very well written book. The information presented in it is practical, timely and opposite of what the rest of the world may teach your children about money. And best of all, it’s fun to read. I highly recommend Smart Money, Smart Kids for parents of children ages 18 and younger. Your children will thank you one day for reading this book.I received a complementary PDF version of this book to review as a member of the Smart Money, Smart Kids launch team. All opinions are my own.

Great read to give my kids.

Raising money smart kids certainly doesn’t happen by accident. We know this is true because we can look around and see college graduates crippled by debt, families living payment to payment for everything from couches to handbags, from cars to homes, and even for necessities like food. Debt is ordinary...regular, yet not something that most Americans, given a choice, would hope for their children.Perhaps that is why the newest book by Dave Ramsey and his daughter, Rachel Cruze, Smart Money Smart Kids, feels a bit like a life raft in choppy waters. It is written in the uniquely engaging narrative of a father and a daughter sharing thoughts in a game of ping pong. Dave shares the perspectives of a parent who admittedly and dramatically failed at finances before overcoming and raising money smart children, while Rachel presents the view of a child who was raised to be competent with money, one who skipped all the “ordinary” snares that so many of her generation get tangled within, one who represents what we hope for our children.However, Smart Money Smart Kids, while full of anecdotes of their experiences (some that are laugh out loud humorous), is more than an encouraging and entertaining narrative about one father raising one daughter. Rather, it’s true strength is in the very specific parenting strategies that can help CREATE money smart kids. Some topics include;- Steps to Intentionally develop a positive attitude toward work through chores and commissions at developmentally appropriate times.- Showing a heart-change about the uses and purposes of money, teaching that saving, giving, and spending can all be virtuous in their time and place.- How to demonstrate and require self-discipline from children in saving for purchases.- Budgeting for kids starting when they are young and giving more independence as they grow and demonstrate competence.- Developing hearts of gratitude and contentment within children.This book was both mind blowing and encouraging. Oh, the heartache we can save our children if we can be open and honest in teaching them how to have a heart of gratitude, a belief that it is all God’s anyway, and a sense of the sacred responsibility we have as stewards of resources, both financial and otherwise. Money is never just about money.Really, Smart Money Smart Kids is all about intentionality. While accidentally raising money smart kids may be impossible, INTENTIONALLY we CAN and WILL change our family tree.

"Smart Money Smart Kids" by Dave Ramsey and Rachel Cruze is an outstanding resource for parents looking to instill sound financial principles in their children. The book is filled with practical advice and real-life examples that make teaching kids about money engaging and effective.Dave and Rachel cover everything from budgeting and saving to giving and spending wisely. The book's straightforward approach makes it easy to implement their strategies in everyday life. I particularly appreciated the emphasis on teaching kids the value of hard work and responsibility.This book is a must-read for any parent wanting to give their kids a strong financial foundation. Highly recommend!