Teaching Your Daughter About Money: Age-Appropriate Lessons

What we teach our daughters about money—or fail to teach them—shapes their entire financial future. And unfortunately, research shows we treat boys and girls differently when it comes to financial education.

Let's change that.

Ages 3-5: Money Basics

What to Teach

• Money is exchanged for things
• Different coins have different values
• Money runs out (it's finite)

How to Teach It

• Play shop with real coins
• Let her hand over money at the store
• Talk about choices: "We're choosing apples today, not biscuits"
• Use a clear jar so she can SEE money grow

Avoid

• Saying "we can't afford it" (implies lack of control)
• Better: "That's not in our budget" or "We're choosing not to buy that"

Ages 6-9: Earning and Saving

What to Teach

• Money is earned through work
• Saving helps you buy bigger things
• Waiting can be worth it
• Some things cost more than others

How to Teach It

• Pocket money linked to responsibilities (not basic chores—those are part of family life)
• Three jars: Spend, Save, Give
• Let her make spending mistakes (and learn from them)
• Involve her in simple family budget discussions

Key Conversations

• "How long would you need to save for that?"
• "Would you rather have X now or Y later?"
• "What did you learn from that purchase?"

Ages 10-13: Budgeting and Goals

What to Teach

• Planning how to use money
• Comparing prices and value
• Short-term vs long-term goals
• The concept of interest (money growing)

How to Teach It

• Give a clothing budget and let her manage it
• Open a children's savings account together
• Show her compound interest with a chart
• Discuss advertising and how companies want her money

Make It Real

• Plan a day out together with a set budget
• Let her research and compare options
• Celebrate when she finds good deals

Ages 14-16: Real World Finance

What to Teach

• How jobs and salaries work
• Tax (yes, really!)
• Needs vs wants in practice
• Credit and debt basics
• Her own spending patterns

How to Teach It

• Help her open a bank account with a debit card
• Discuss your household bills (in age-appropriate ways)
• Talk about career paths and earning potential
• Explain why some debt is dangerous

Important Conversations

• "What do you think things cost?"
• "What would you do differently with more/less money?"
• "What financial questions do you have?"

Ages 17-18: Independence Preparation

What to Teach

• Budgeting for real
• Pensions (yes, at 17!)
• Student loans explained properly
• First job finances
• Living costs reality

How to Teach It

• Help create her first proper budget
• Explain student loans without fear-mongering
• Discuss first workplace pension
• Talk about flatmates, bills, real costs

Be Honest About

• Your own financial mistakes
• What you wish you'd known
• The importance of starting early

What NOT to Teach Daughters

Don't Say

• "You don't need to worry about that, your husband will handle it"
• "Girls aren't good at maths"
• "That's too complicated for you"
• "Money isn't important" (it enables choices)

Don't Do

• Shield her from all financial stress
• Make finances seem scary or shameful
• Only talk about money when there's a problem
• Treat money differently than you would with a son

The Conversations That Matter Most

About Earning

"You deserve to be paid fairly for your work. Know your worth."

About Spending

"Spend on what truly matters to you. Don't let others define that."

About Investing

"Time is your greatest asset. Start early, even with small amounts."

About Independence

"Your own money gives you choices. Never rely entirely on someone else."

Your Role as a Model

The most powerful teaching is what she observes:

• Do you check your accounts?
• Do you discuss finances with your partner?
• Do you invest?
• Do you value yourself financially?

She's watching. And learning.

Want to improve your own money confidence? When you learn, she learns too. Check out our courses.