If you've spent years nudging your teen toward smarter money habits — nice work. That foundation matters. Now it's time to build on it. Here are four skills that will set them up for life.
1. Learn to earn
There's no substitute for earning your own paycheck. Encourage your teen to apply for jobs, even small ones. When the money is theirs, the decisions feel real. That's where the real learning starts.
2. Learn to save
Help your teen open a savings account and get in the habit of setting money aside before they spend it. With a Heartland Gateway Savings account, your teen can even earn a bonus based on their grades: $4 for every B, $5 for every A*. Stop in or open an account online at consumer.hcu.coop.
3. Learn to budget
Before that first paycheck lands, sit down together and build a budget. Keep it simple: fixed expenses, day-to-day spending, and savings. A basic budget built now is a habit that pays off for decades.
4. Learn to set goals
A budget without a goal is just a spreadsheet. Help your teen tie their money to something they actually want — a car, a concert, a new phone. When the goal is real, the budget becomes a tool instead of a chore.
The bottom line: A budget is the single most useful financial tool your teen can have. Help them build one that reflects their goals, and they'll carry that skill long after they leave home.
*Maximum grade bonus of $25/semester; $50/year.
Official Financial Wellness Partner Of Tiger Athletics
