Creating Financial Education Opportunities for Children

One of the most valuable gifts a parent can offer his or her child is a financial education. Children are naturally interested in money. Often, they absorb money-related habits and attitudes based on what they observe around them. When parents take an active role in expanding their child’s financial knowledge, they do more than teach dollars and cents—they empower their child with confidence, responsibility and lifelong money management skills.

Creating opportunities for financial education does not have to be difficult. Below are some tips for starting, and advancing, your child’s financial journey at any age.

Have Conversations About Money

When introducing financial concepts to your child, begin with honest, age-appropriate conversations. Speaking openly about saving, spending, budgeting and charitable giving encourages curiosity and helps remove the mystery around what money is and its use. Find teachable moments when conducting routine tasks, like grocery shopping or planning a family outing, as practical lessons show children how making choices on when to spend and when to save are connected to real life situations.

Build Knowledge – Trustmark’s Interactive Tool Kit

As your child’s interest in finances grows, introduce them to Trustmark’s Financial Education Tool Kit. Available online at trustmark.com, this resource is filled with digestible, engaging financial concepts that make for a fun learning experience.

Parents can create an account and then direct their child to specific lessons or allow them to explore financial subjects on their own. There are multiple playlists available, each containing five to 10 interactive courses. Topics range from introductory information, such as understanding the basics of key financial concepts and money management, to more complex themes, like investing in your future, home ownership or planning for retirement. Trustmark’s Tool Kit enables children to learn at their own pace and gives parents the opportunity to review progress and engage in learning with their child.

Guide Opportunities with a Greenlight^® Debit Card

When a child is ready to make financial transactions directly, parents can take advantage of Greenlight’s award-winning family finance app and debit card to provide hands-on money management experiences. With Greenlight, children learn how to set goals and spend wisely as their parents monitor their financial activity. Through features like flexible spending controls, parents can receive real-time notifications for transactions, set controls on spending categories and turn a child’s card on or off with one tap.

Trustmark customers can receive a complimentary subscription to Greenlight by enrolling through the myTrustmark^® online banking app. If a customer has an existing Greenlight subscription, they can switch to the Trustmark program through myTrustmark.

Promote Independence with a Student Checking Account

As children grow into responsible young adults, a student checking account can help bridge the gap between guidance and independence. At Trustmark, a Student Checking account can be opened for just $50 and comes with no monthly maintenance fee*. Additional benefits include unlimited debit card transactions, mobile wallet, mobile deposit, Person to Person payments, and optional overdraft protection. Account holders can also enjoy access to their money anytime, anywhere with myTrustmark online banking.

Financial education is an ongoing process that evolves as children grow. By taking advantage of available resources and being intentional in financial conversations, parents can empower their child with the knowledge and skills necessary to establish informed financial habits that will last throughout their lives.

*Other fees may apply, such as returned item, overdraft, and third-party ATM fees.