Allowance Magic: Turn Your Kids Into Money Wizards [Paperback]

David McCurrach (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2003

Tired of your kids always asking for money? Aggravated when they just buy whatever's popular without any regard for price? Frustrated they never save or share any of the money they get? Wish you could help your kids become more responsible with their money?

You can. All it takes is a little Allowance Magic. This step-by-step program gives you the tools you need to teach your kids about money and money management as you help them develop the habits of saving and sharing. At the same time, those frequent requests for money, and the occasional arguments they can lead to, are gone forever.

With Allowance Magic, you develop a structure within which your kids make most of their own day-to-day financial decisions. That way, they learn to plan their expenditures and shop for value. They also get in the habit of saving and sharing a portion of everything they get.

Allowance Magic includes two distinct sections. The first is for parents. It presents an overview of the challenges you face in helping your children become financially responsible along with the specific actions you can take to overcome those obstacles. It also leads you through the process of setting limits and establishing rules. Once you complete this section, you will have put together an allowance program that's just right for you and your kids.

The second section - The Kid's Money Wizard Journal - is for your kids. Once they complete it, you review and discuss their information with them. In the process, both you and your children work together to establish age-appropriate responsibilities and expectations. The completed Journal serves as a written record of the agreements you've reached and becomes your child's working financial plan.

So, what are you waiting for? Start making your own Allowance Magic today and watch your kids become Money Wizards! Why wait? Order Allowance Magic now!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Parenting / Personal Finance

$3? $5? $10? How much Allowance is right for your child? Do you give them what their friends get? However much they ask for? Or, do you simply pick a number, any number? Fortunately, there is a better way. And you will find it spelled out in a simple and easy to follow manner in Kids' Allowances - How Much, How Often & How Come, A Guide For Parents. In this book: * Hundreds of parents share how they come up with the Allowance amount. * Thousands of parents tell how much Allowance they give. * The nation's leading experts make their recommendations. * David McCurrach brings together the best ideas from parents, experts and his own experience as he lays out the easiest and most effective Allowance program ever. After that, The Allowance Workbook For Kids and Their Parents helps you implement the program presented in Kids' Allowances. With the Workbook, you customize your Allowance program to reflect your child's needs and your own personal values. With twenty-five years in the financial services industry, five kids, three grandkids, input from thousands of other parents, hundreds of hours of in-depth research and untold numbers of discussions and correspondence with parents and other authorities in the field, David McCurrach has developed a unique perspective on helping kids learn about money management and develop financial responsibility through an effective Allowance program. All these thoughts and experiences are capsulated in this book. Read the book, work the Workbook, visit Kids' Money on the Internet at kidsmoney.org, shop Kids' Money Store at kidsmoneystore.com. Join the tens of thousands of other parents and kids that have already benefited from this valuable experience. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

About the Author

David McCurrach began Kids' Money (kidsmoney.org) in 1995 as an early Internet-based financial education resource for parents, teachers and kids. Today, this widely-acclaimed site provides an unparalleled amount of information on teaching kids about money, money management and financial responsibility.

Appropriately, the first four years have focused on Allowances - the basic building block of a financial education. Tens of thousands of parents have contributed their thoughts and experiences. Leading experts have weighed in with their views. This body of knowledge forms the basis for the information provided in Kids' Allowances - How Much, How Often & How Come, A Guide for Parents as well as in The Allowance Workbook for Kids and Their Parents.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 24 pages
• Publisher: Kids' Money Press (July 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0967767121
• ISBN-13: 978-0967767123
• Product Dimensions: 10.7 x 8.1 x 0.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #375,700 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #21 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Personal Finance > Budgeting

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Resource of Information, March 23, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Kids' Allowances - How Much, How Often & How Come, A Guide for Parents (includes Allowance Workbook) (Paperback)

This book is packed full of information about Allowances from parents to experts. Dave's way offers a simple, easy to follow method for deciding the ever important question 'How much do I give'.

I would consider this book to be an excellent source for information. One that I will continue to review as my child gets older.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Who's Teaching Kids About Money?, November 15, 2004

By 

Sylvia Cochran "Sylvia Cochran" (Sunny Southern California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Allowance Magic: Turn Your Kids Into Money Wizards (Paperback)

I have reviewed the book for my online class, "Money Skills for Kids". I must say I am impressed with the simple (yet very detailed) plan the author proposes. Additionally, I find that not only the children will benefit from the teaching tools he presents, but their parents will also undergo a valuable education in money management.

One of the sections that stood out was the one on the "Sharing Money Challenge." I like the way the author helps children to integrate giving into their weekly routine, and the way he emphasizes that giving is just as much a part of spending an allowance as buying candy.

Please note that I have included the book into my course's required reading list.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Better for older kids., January 3, 2007

By 

Ruth Schreiner "Savvyshopperandseller" (California, MD) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Allowance Magic: Turn Your Kids Into Money Wizards (Paperback)

Was hoping to have much better tips for younger kids--as in the 5-year-old set. There was a Wall St. Journal article featuring the author, and his tips in that article were more succinct and what I was looking for regarding starting an allowance than this book was. But this is awesome for the tween and teen set with complete budgeting, spending and charitable donations worksheets. Would like more info. on the charity for the kids--like how to research, and invest in causes you believe in.