For Girls Only

Traditionally girls shy away from money and math. So it’s important to give girls tools at an early age to learn about money and to make it fun.

One of my favorite workshops to lead is a Girl Scout meeting for the Money Sense badge. At the meeting, I have the girls break out into groups to perform various money activities. The Girl Scouts organization does a fantastic job getting girls involved in goal setting, money management and business ethics with the GS Cookie program. (Plus the cookies are delicious!)

The Girl Scouts have a safe website that girls and teens can check out for fun, games and information:

• For younger girls - Go Girls Only
• For teens - Studio 2b
• For all girls – Money Smarts

Most girls like to babysit and this is a great way for them to learn about earning money on their own. It’s a good idea for girls to be trained and local Red Cross chapters have a Babysitting Training class designed for ages 11 to 15.

Giving your daughter a head start with career planning will lead to confidence with earning money and her natural abilities – here are some resources (also great for your sons!):

• Kids.gov
• Bureau of Labor and Statistics (BLS) Career Information
• Career Vision

Once your daughter becomes a young woman here are some good resources directed at women: 

• Department of Labor – Women’s Bureau
•  Wi$eUp – Financial Planning for Generation X and Y Women
•  On Our Own Two Feet

I have found over the years in my financial planning career that women tend to leave the “money issues” to their boyfriends or husbands. Women need to take control of their financial life.

Use the tools and resources listed above to teach your daughter to be responsible for her own money. Don’t forget about your allowance program. You are your daughter’s best teacher!