Amazon.com: Customer reviews: Smart Money Smart Kids: Raising the Next Generation to Win with Money

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lvlc

More than teaching kids about money... superb

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023

Way better than expected. A must read for every parent. If there was parenting university this would be a core class.

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LovesToReadAnything

Worst financial advice book I can remember reading. And definitely not for kids.

Reviewed in the United States on April 27, 2017

I was really expecting a much better book than this. But there are so many things wrong with the book, I had to write a warning to others: do not get this book. There are several reasons why:

1 - This book is not really aimed at kids. To me, a book that says it's aimed at kids should stay in the age range of something like 6-18, otherwise it should state otherwise, like college bound kids, or your children, no matter the age. Because this book definitely, most definitely, does not stay in the age range of 6-18. It goes on to talk about areas such as college age problems, wedding planning (what? not needed here), and things of that nature.

2 - The examples given are just pure useless for an average income person trying to teach their children. The examples are terrible, over and over. I mentioned the Wedding part? The example is supposed to be about budgeting, but it really is about entitlement, and some really controversial advice (You must save pay for your daughters wedding?? What? Sorry, I happen to think that grown adults today should be paying for their own wedding....and that if you are trying to teach them to do "Smart Money" it should be about minimizing that as much as possible, not telling me I should be giving 20-50 thousand for my kids or that they should be spending that kind of money on themselves for one day when they should be spending it on a house). Really bad advice throughout most of the book.

3 - Giving as Smart Money - I go back and forth over this one. I think that it's nice to say you should give money, but I don't think that's actually sound advice from a financial point of view, that's you yourself finding it to be charitable. I suppose that's the religious part of the book that I also think doesn't really help or belong in this kind of financial advice. Because of course it's giving money to a Church. Which, again, is your choice, but it's not financial advice, that's religious advice. But, I guess any Ramsey advice is going to have some of that in it.

4 - I was expecting a much more detailed set of advice on How to do each item, not just a short story (that most of the time doesn't have the moral they seem to think it does) . The example of giving them money so she and her friend can go to the store to buy things for underprivlidged kids is not financial advice, it's again a moral compass bit of advice. It's nice....but it's not teaching the children about saving or investing.

Overall, I think this is probably one of the worst financial books I've read, and definitely a piece of crap that I will be throwing into the trash before letting anyone else read, especially my kids.

Don't waste your money.

27 people found this helpful

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lvlc

More than teaching kids about money... superb

Reviewed in the United States on April 29, 2023

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Way better than expected. A must read for every parent. If there was parenting university this would be a core class.

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Stay in the Car Mom

Practical, timely and well written

Reviewed in the United States on April 22, 2014

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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.

92 people found this helpful

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MWBookWright

Hats off to Rachel and Dave! This book is destined to become the 'go to' book for culturally relevant financial advice

Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2014

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Hats off to Rachel Cruze and Dave Ramsey. It takes a father-daughter team to bring some coherence and sanity to the "big talk" every child and teen should be having with his/her parents. This particular book caught my eye because my daughter and I have co-published a book.

Though I have heard Dave on the radio, this is my first Dave Ramsey book. Rachel gives advice like a modern day, culturally savvy, Mary Poppins remix. She's wise, short but firm with her advice, and everything she says is delivered with a spoon full of sugar. Pairing these two together has worked well for both of them as Dave is much, much sweeter in this book than he appears to be on the radio. Books are a little more warmer in presentation than live radio and don't discount Daughters' influence on their fathers.

I have a shelf full of financial books, a necessity of my past work in the finance industry. I have to say this one is different as it provides the what, how, why and even some savvy predictions of your child's mental state as you introduce them to life in the real world of money. What is absent here is the dryness of the "theory" of the subject; you'll hear no accountants droning on and on. You also won't see any disturbing grandstanding as an author publicly worships his pet concepts and illustrations. You do get page after page of `dead on target' advice, analysis and real life - I did that - illustration.

I'll make a prediction that if you don't buy this book now, you'll buy it one, five, ten, maybe twenty years from now as it finds a rightful place as one of the `go to ` classics of practical, financial education.

It reads in living color like a novel, yet contains the wisdom of a C.S. Lewis narrative. I just couldn't put it down.

For the record, I did not receive a promo copy; I ordered and paid for the book gladly to see the magic a father-daughter team could do with what is normally a dry and boring subject. This book is an entertaining and educational read.

MICHAEL W. JACKSON who co-published with Rene Faith, his fifteen year old daughter, the Amazon eBook Cupid Memeing: Craving Love, Joy and Peace: Engage emotional reality in a superficial world.

3 people found this helpful

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bodenmama4

excellent book, great purchase

Reviewed in the United States on July 22, 2016

Verified Purchase

This book is excellent! My husband and I are the first generation in either of our families to give much thought to money as far as budgeting, planning, thinking towards the future etc, and I was a little at a loss as to how to help my kids figure it out much sooner than the rest of us did. This book was really helpful towards that, and it was done in a non judgmental, kind, encouraging manner.

Obviously we all have our strengths, and obviously Dave Ramsey's strengths were helping is kids succeed with money from a young age. His kids were earning money for their first cars before they were 10! My reality looks different than theirs, and I had to remind myself that what worked for them, isn't going to be what works for my family, but taking some of their ideas and basic principles, I can also help my kids achieve great things with their money. Quite frankly, step one is simply being aware of the value of money. What should it be used for, things you want, or things you need etc. Natural consequences, and letting your kids fail at the little decisions now are important (ie: Rachel recounts a story where she spent all of her money on one little game outside the amusement park they were at, and then had to watch her brother and sister have fun with their money inside while she was miserable and her parents wouldn't relent and give her more).

I really liked though too how they encourage you to give your kids grace. Rachel recounts how one mom was proud of herself that she didn't help her son out when he went to buy the xbox he had saved up for and didn't have enough to cover tax. Rachel was incredulous and told the mom that if her 10 year old son had managed to save up nearly $400 to buy an xbox the mom should have gladly covered the tax! You want to encourage your kids, help them feel like they have succeeded, not be so caught up in semantics that you miss the opportunity to help them feel like they accomplished their money saving goal.

This book was really encouraging to me, and helpful on my parenting journey. I would recommend it to anyone looking for ways to help kids understand money, and give them a foundation for succeeding later. Five stars for sure.

38 people found this helpful

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Ben Miller

Beyond Ordinary: Growing Money Smart Kids the Ramsey Way

Reviewed in the United States on April 25, 2014

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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.

72 people found this helpful

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Margie Pargie

The writing style is just like sitting in the den talking with Dave and Rachel ...

Reviewed in the United States on February 12, 2015

Verified Purchase

The writing style is just like sitting in the den talking with Dave and Rachel live. I love his radio show and this book did not disappoint. Get tips and a good guideline for NOT adding to the entitlement attitude so prevalent with our kids these days. My boys are used to hearing my go into my "Dave Ramsey" mode. I bought the Florida Prepaid College fund when they were babies, they are 14 and 12 now. Dave is highly against it, but it does give me peace of mind as a single mom with a flaky ex-husband who would not have been onboard sharing college expenses when the time comes.

Having said that, I also have 529s for both boys, they EARN their own money by doing their fair share of the work around the house. We don't call them CHORES, they are responsibilities necessary for learning to become functional adult men and moving out of Mommy's house when they graduate from college.

Both boys have "Mad Money" accounts that their money goes into, and 20% always goes into savings for that elusive car when they need one. I will match their funds when the time comes and occasionally talk about what kind of car they want and what they need to have in the bank to make it happen. It is NEVER too soon to teach fiscal responsibility and seeing the account balances online really helps them set goals and focus on making it happen. Both boys bought their own laptops (nice ones!) this year and they definitely take better care of them knowing they invested their own earnings into the purchase.

Thank you Dave and Rachel for your wonderful insight and the great way you impart your financial wisdom.

4 people found this helpful

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She

Don't know where or how to start teaching your kids about money? This IS the manual...

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014

Verified Purchase

If Financial Peace University is the manual for recovery from being buried in debt and messed up financial situations to financial freedom, Smart Money Smart Kids is definitely the manual on how to equip our children to make smart money decisions so they can avoid the pitfall of being in unpleasant financial situations in the future.

One of my favorite parts about the book is how Dave and Rachel categorized the topics into the age-appropriateness of kids. From age three to college age, you will find specific ideas that we parents can start implementing with your kids. Each chapter thoroughly talks about valuable skills and character traits that we can help instill in our kids while they are young. Starting them young is ideal because younger children are more receptive. But the book also encourages that it is never too late to start teaching them, regardless of age. Each step is a process that will not happen overnight. Perseverance and patience are important keys.

There are a lot of things in life that we know our kids will learn as they go out into the world and figure things out for themselves. Being intentional in teaching them about money now is vital for how they will handle situations in the future, when they are on their own. Besides, teaching them about money is never just about money. The book digs deep about essential skills like a good work ethic, saving, spending, budgeting and so much more. But it also digs deeper and touches on the emotions tied with money like giving and contentment.

Anybody will surely learn from this book. Its message will tug your hearts and make you believe that raising money smart kids is probably one of the most important legacies that you will ever give your children.

2 people found this helpful

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M. Trevor Acy

New Father and Long-Time DR Follower's Take on SMSK

Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2014

Verified Purchase

Let me preface with why I gave this book four stars. As a long-time Dave Ramsey show listener, I have heard all of the anecdotes in the book before reading it. That doesn't detract anything from the stories and examples, they are still prudent and insightful. But if you're familiar with Dave and Rachel already, you're not going to hear much anything new.

That being said, I think four stars is still very telling for how great this information is even though I had already heard most if it before. The book is written both from Dave (as father) and Rachel's (as daughter) perspectives. One will detail a concept then discuss the application as they experienced it. Then the other will follow with their take on it. It is a very effective way of communicating how to implement the ideas of saving and spending for kids, and how kids can (in Rachel's case) receive it.

If you have read other Dave Ramsey books you'll hear a lot of the same concepts discussed and why they are important. I think what really sets this entry apart and makes it a worthwhile read in light of his others books is Rachel. Hearing how she grew up in that environment and more importantly what has stuck with her and impacted her as an adult is inspiring. As a new father myself it gives me hope that I can raise my next generation in a way that avoids some of the hard lessons I've had to learn, by teaching them smaller, easier lessons throughout their childhood and into young adulthood.

This book also has lasting re-reading value. I see myself reviewing the different sections as my children grow up. Definitely one for the bookshelf and not just a loaner from the library.

4 people found this helpful

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YamaBrown

Changed our life!

Reviewed in the United States on May 1, 2016

Verified Purchase

My husband and I read 'Total Money Makeover' we are half way out of debt in just 1 year it's been an amazing journey so far and we've learned so much and have grown so much, not just as a couple or individual but as a family. Our son is 8 and we also have a 2 year old and we've started the steps with our son as I've been reading 'Smart Money Smart Kids' and it has been the best thing a parent can give a child. Again, he is 8 and he is now more responsible than a lot of adults I know. Here's the catch and it teaches you in the book 'Better caught, than taught' meaning if you're kids see you eating fast food all the time but you're constantly telling them to eat healthy, it's not going to work. We budget every month and talk about it everyday, he hears us talking about it and sees us practicing it everyday. Great thing about Dave Ramsey is while reading his books, it literally feels like he is sitting in front of you taking to you, you'll never put the book down! Great read and an amazing way to get out of debt and how to teach your children to never know what debt is. Debt is a drug, feels good when you're buying something you really want even if you have to borrow the money to buy it but later when you have to pay it back it's not worth it. Do the rehab, gain the strength and patience and you will win!

2 people found this helpful

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Amy Wooley

Practical guide to train up money smart kids!

Reviewed in the United States on April 23, 2014

Verified Purchase

This amazing book is a practical guide to train your kids to make smart decisions about money. Let me stress again that it’s a practical guide, not theoretical, because as a parent, who has time for theoretical?

Rachel Cruze was a baby when her parents filed for bankruptcy. While recovering from this difficult time, Dave and Sharon Ramsey “made the declaration that where money was concerned, we would start a new family tradition—a tradition of money knowledge, money character traits, and wealth.” Rachel and her older sister and younger brother are successful products of this declaration. Dave and Rachel share in great detail, from their respective perspectives, the money lessons taught to the Ramsey kids through the years and how you can apply them to your family.

The book has chapters dedicated to the subjects of work, spending, saving, giving, budgeting, staying away from debt, and contentment (this one is critical to your child’s success). Whether you have a preschooler or a teenager about to enter college or anywhere in between, this book has you covered. Most chapters offer sensible tips broken out by age groups.

If you’ve spend most of your adult life drowning in debt, can you imagine how awesome your child’s wealth building potential would be if she never, ever took on debt of any kind? This book shows you how it’s possible. Maybe you’ve worked hard, avoided debt, and saved hence you’re doing pretty well with money, but you’re worried about your child growing up to be a lazy, entitled, immature adult. Oh, is this book for you!

2 people found this helpful

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