Back to School Back to Money Basics
Helping Children Build Financial Confidence this School Year
By Jodie Gerulaitis, FVP Community Relations Country Bank
Published in Longmeadow Neighbors | August 2026
As families prepare for a new school year, there’s often a long list of supplies to purchase, schedules to organize, and activities to plan. While back-to-school season can feel busy, it also provides a perfect opportunity to teach children valuable money skills that will benefit them for years to come.
Financial literacy doesn’t have to be taught in a classroom. Some of the most meaningful lessons happen through everyday experiences. Shopping for school supplies, planning extracurricular activities, and managing spending decisions can all help children develop a better understanding of how money works in the real world.
Here are five simple ways families can build financial confidence as the school year begins:
Involve Children in Back-to-School Budgeting
Back-to-school shopping offers a natural opportunity to discuss budgeting. Share the family’s spending plan, compare prices, and talk about making choices between wants and needs. These conversations help children understand that money is a limited resource and that thoughtful decisions are an important part of financial success.
Encourage Earning Opportunities
The school year often creates opportunities for children and teens to earn money through age-appropriate jobs, helping neighbors, babysitting, tutoring, or completing additional responsibilities at home. Connecting effort with earnings helps children develop responsibility and a greater appreciation for the value of money.
Help Children Set a Savings Goal
Whether they are saving for a school trip, sports equipment, holiday gifts, or a future purchase, having a goal gives children a reason to practice patience and planning.
Watching savings grow over time reinforces the importance of consistency and delayed gratification.
Teach Smart Spending Habits
As children receive money from allowances, jobs, or gifts, encourage them to think before making purchases. Simple questions such as “Do I really need this?” or “Would I rather save for something bigger?” help children develop decision-making skills that become increasingly important as they get older.
Use Financial Tools that Match Today’s World
Jodie Gerulaitis
FVP Community Relations
Financial Marketing Solutions
800-322-8233
https://www.countrybank.com/
Today’s children are growing up in a digital economy. Learning how to manage money includes understanding debit cards, online purchases, digital payments, and account balances. Age-appropriate banking tools and financial education resources can help children gain hands-on experience while parents provide guidance and oversight. The goal isn’t simply teaching children how to spend money but helping them learn how to manage it responsibly.
At Country Bank, we believe financial education is one of the most important gifts we can give the next generation. Through our Money School program and youth banking resources, we are committed to helping families build strong financial foundations together.
As students head back to school, consider making financial literacy part of the learning that happens at home. The lessons children learn today about saving, spending, earning, and giving can help shape confident financial decision-makers for years to come.
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