Raising Financially Fit Teens Ages 13-15
Primary Text Separator for Milspouse Money Mission, Financial Education for Military Spouses
Raising Financially Fit Teens Ages 13-15

Ages 13-15

Take your teenager's financial education a step further and help them make money concepts more tangible through real-word application. Get started with the suggested activities below.

Money Concepts *Suggested Activities
  • Discuss setting SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time-bound) savings goals.
  • If they do not already have a savings or checking account, open an account at your bank or credit union.
  • Help them learn how to access their accounts online and teach them how to protect their identity.
  • Talk about credit and the cost of borrowing money.
  • Work with your child to set a financial goal, such as saving for a used car. Make sure the goal is SMART.
  • Go over a credit card or loan statement together. Show how much finance charges cost when you carry a balance from month to month. If you do not carry a credit balance, use this online calculator to demonstrate the total cost of credit.
  • Discuss the household spending plan. Explain the difference between needs and wants. Have your teen pick out the items in the spending plan that are wants and those that are needs. Ask them to identify items that could be cut from the spending plan if there were a reduction in income or if there is a major purchase the family wants to fund.
  • Host a family game night with board games.
*Consider online options for these activities when appropriate.

Keep the conversation going and show this video to your child(ren).

Primary Text Separator for Milspouse Money Mission, Financial Education for Military Spouses

Recent Blogs

5 Financial Resolutions to Start the New Year Off Right

December 2, 2024

You don’t need to wait until January to take a fresh look at your finances. Get a jump on the new year with these five resolutions — they can really pay off over the next 12 months. 1. Set/update your budget Setting a budget is the first step in a military family’s financial planning. And…

Read More

5 Financial Power Moves for MilSpouses

November 1, 2024

During National Veterans and Military Families Month in November, we salute the strength of our families as they support the mission of our community. MilSpouses, especially, display determination as they face the challenges of military life. We see you navigate frequent moves, deployments and often raising children as a solo parent. We understand your motivation…

Read More

The Year In Review: Bring Your Financial Picture into Focus

October 1, 2024

It can be fun and even eye-opening to watch those year-end montages reminiscing about the year. If you ever have that moment when you say to yourself, “Wait, that was this year?”, you could also imagine how easy it could be to lose track of the goals and financial plans you set in motion when…

Read More

Now’s the Time to Think About Life Insurance

September 4, 2024

Hey, MilSpouses, it’s Life Insurance Awareness Month! Okay, so maybe that doesn’t make you want to break out the cake and ice cream, but life insurance is an important part of your financial plan. It can help take care of your family, giving them financial security if something happens to you or your service member.…

Read More

Budget and Insurance: What to Do After You PCS

August 1, 2024

After months of planning and hard work, you’ve landed safely at your next duty station. Congratulations! As you kick off this next chapter in your MilLife, it’s a good time to check in on your finances. Let’s look at two key items that are likely to change after a PCS: your budget and your insurance.…

Read More

Insurance and Estate Planning for Your Peace of Mind

July 1, 2024

Insurance protection and estate planning are key to your family’s financial peace of mind. Insurance protects you from serious financial loss and provides for your family, and estate planning ensures your wishes are carried out in case you are no longer there. Protect Your Stuff Homeowners and Renters Insurance: Both homeowners and renters insurance cover…

Read More

PCS Finances for MilSpouses: In Their Own Words

May 31, 2024

Did you set financial goals earlier this year only to have a permanent change of station (PCS) threaten to derail your family’s budget? You’re not alone. Other MilSpouses have learned how to keep their family finances intact during a move — and so can you! Here is valuable advice from their experiences. PCS-proof Your Finances…

Read More

Showing Appreciation with Top Resources for MilSpouses

May 1, 2024

As MilSpouses, we are often asked to shoulder a big load of responsibility. When partners deploy or work long hours, managing career and home responsibilities — especially finances — can fall on us. May 10 is Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and we pause to honor your unwavering support, strength and resiliency in all you do…

Read More
Primary Text Separator for Milspouse Money Mission, Financial Education for Military Spouses