Books can help you get handle on money—October 19, 2007
Struggling with money can be a lifelong problem for some. Marital disputes or accrual of college credit debt can be a severe money management lesson. Learning early about how to handle money may prevent misunderstandings and mistakes later in life. Hastings Public Library has books available that start with simple explanations about money concepts for children.
If you are a parent, guardian or classroom teacher and need a place to start, try the book “Money” by Amy Adelstein. She answers five basic questions about money, namely “What is it?”, “How does it work?”, “Where do you get it?”, “What are the rules?” and “What does it mean to me?”. Caroline Grimshaw’s book “Money: Discover the Connection Through Questions and Answers” explains children’s questions such as “Why do coins have pictures on them?”, “WhyJanuary 25, 2010ey?” and “How do people earn money?”.
Learn about money in its different forms as early people used salt, shells, fur and even horses to exchange goods in the books “Around the World With Money,” and “Paying Without Money” by Jason Cooper. Cooper also wrote “How Coins and Bills Are Made” which clarifies the currency that is used today.
Find information about the history of money, credit, banking and money-making ideas from the book “Money Basics: An Introduction On the Uses Of Money For Young People” by G. David Wallace. For those that would like to open banking accounts, the books “Everyday Banking: Consumer Banking” and “Money Business: Banks and Banking” by Ernestine Giesecke explain everything from checking accounts to debit, credit and smart cards.
“The Kids’ Allowance Book” by Amy Nathan can help parents and kids. Topics include “Should an allowance be tied to chores—or not?”, “Trying for a raise” “Don’t blow your dough,” and “Help with common allowance problems troubleshooting guide.” “Money Math” by Kieran Walsh goes into earning money with part-time jobs, paying taxes, the Stock Market and more.
Remember old story problems in math class? The Library has many math related books such as “You Can’t Buy a Dinosour With a Dime” by Harriet ZieferJanuary 25, 2010rdquo; (sound yummy?) by Jerry Pallotta and Rob Bolster. Games using money, sales percentages and other life skills should come more natural with a clear understanding about money.