The MoneySmart Family System

Is it possible to raise financially responsible kids of any age in a society filled with consumerism and entitlement?

New York Times best-selling authors Steve and Annette Economides raised their five kids while spending 77 percent less than the USDA predicted. And the money they did spend was also used to train their children to become financially independent. The MoneySmart Family System will show you how to teach your children to manage money and have a good attitude while they’re learning to earn, budget, and spend wisely.

Learn how to:

With clear steps for children of every age, The MoneySmart Family System proves that it’s never too early, too late, or too hard to start learning financial responsibility.

“Every parent or parent-to-be should read this book! Steve and Annette Economides have given concrete steps to teach your children financial responsibility and independence, while making it fun as they learn. Adults can learn from this system too. A must-have for every family library shelf.”

—Dr. Laura Schlessinger, New York Times best-selling author and host of The Dr. Laura Program on SiriusXM

“Kudos, Steve and Annette, for another awesome winner! The MoneySmart Family System is the perfect guide for strategies to help raise financially responsible children with skills to successfully deal with the uncertainties of adult life. Sixty percent of today’s parents are assisting their financially dependent kids, so this book could not be more timely. It’s a must-read and a must-take-action tool.”

—Glinda Bridgforth, financial coach for Oprah’s Debt Diet and best-selling author of Girl, Get Your Money Straight!

“Foreign aid to poor countries and overly generous parents produce the same outcomes: initially, thankful responses; then in short order, increasing expectations; and not long after that, an attitude of entitlement. The best way I can think of to break the iron law of entitlement is through financial independence by becoming money smart. There is a saying that we should leave a better country to our children. But it’s more important to leave better children to our country. The MoneySmart Family System does all of this.”

—Dr. Barry Asmus, senior economist, National Center for Policy Analysis

“You’ve made a great choice! You can’t go wrong by following in the footsteps of Steve and Annette as they walk you through a comprehensible, practical, and fail-safe way of getting your kids financially ready to stand on their own. Bottom line—your family’s stock value will go way up by reading and applying this life-changing book.”

—Dr. Tim and Darcy Kimmel, authors of Grace-Based Parenting and Little House on the Freeway

“Steve and Annette’s tips, ideas, and how-tos are useful no matter what your income level. All kids need to learn to be independent financially and emotionally, and this book encourages you to be counter culture. Their proven methods give you hope that your kids can and will be financially stable adults. Thank you, Steve and Annette, for your insight, discernment, and desire to share such wisdom. We’re anxious to get started with our own four kids!”

—Marci and Tim Salmon, retired MLB player for the Los Angeles Angels

“Once again Steve and Annette Economides have done it. They’ve taken a complicated (and sometimes terrifying) subject and turned it into something that’s understandable for everyone. The MoneySmart Family System is truly a work of love. It’s about family first and finances second. Unlike other books that rehash the common expert views, Steve and Annette’s book provides logical, personal, and practical advice. Money dominates many family dynamics today, often with devastating results. If you want your family to have a healthy relationship toward money and personal finances, you’ll want to use this book as your guide.”

—Gary Foreman, publisher of TheDollarStretcher.com

“Regardless of the state of the economy or our bank account, we simply must be good stewards of our finances. Steve and Annette Economides have given every family in America a jump start toward that end. Read this book. Have your children read it. See your family budget and spending practices and savings account transformed. Our family has benefited from this valuable resource. So will yours!”

—Doug and Beall Phillips, founders of Vision Forum Ministries

“The money-saving power couple has done it again. In their new book, Steve and Annette Economides deliver must-have advice on raising MoneySmart kids. They share their experiences, parent to parent, about what works and what doesn’t when trying to teach your children about finances. This book goes far beyond a discussion of chores and allowances. Steve and Annette offer their take on everything from kids’ TV watching and video gaming to buying a first car and attending college. Give your kids the tools they need to earn, save, spend, and give their way to success. Start with buying this book.”

—Gregory Karp, author of Living Rich by Spending Smart and The 1-2-3 Money Plan

“The MoneySmart Family System is just that—smart. Steve and Annette have been passing on financial principles to their children for years and now you can learn their secrets too. The next generation needs to know how to steward their money, time, and possessions in a way that makes God and their parents smile.”

—Howard Dayton, founder of Compass—Finances God’s Way and author of Your Money Counts

“Intentional parenting! Two words that best describe this book. Why let the uninvited voices of the world determine how your children view money? This book is a foundational tool that will allow you to speak to the lives of your children in a positive way by enabling them to take control of their finances. This will give them a head start in life by teaching them principles that will stand the test of time regardless of the world’s financial challenges.”

—Jeff Jones, drummer for Big Daddy Weave and founder of www.Customstix.com

“This book is both insightful and right on the money! Excellent advice for families with kids of all ages.”

—John Rosemond, author of The Well-Behaved Child

“Steve and Annette provide insightful and meaningful skills for parents as they instruct their children to not just be money conscious, but develop character that will push them toward success in their future. I look forward to sharing many of these life skills with my girls as they grow up!”

—JJ Heller, singer/songwriter

“Steve and Annette Economides are American parenting heroes! Their latest book, The MoneySmart Family System, is magnificent. It is a beacon of hope for families. In it, moms, dads, and educators will discover several proven strategies on how practicing great money habits can transform the lives of people of all ages, regardless of their income or social or ethnic stratum. It’s a must-read.”

—Sam X Renick, author of It’s a Habit, Sammy Rabbit and founder of www.ItsAHabit.com

“For more then twenty years, my wife and I have seen how Steve and Annette Economides’s down-to-earth, creative, fun, and brilliantly wise lessons on money have blessed their own family and helped hundreds of other families as well. At last, they’ve captured all those hard-earned nuggets and put them into a MoneySmart system that can help even the most out-of-balance parents finally know how to raise MoneySmart kids. You will love this book’s authenticity, practicality, humor, and “Why didn’t I think of that?” reality. Most of all, this book will make you a hero in your kids’ eyes—particularly when they grow up being self-supportive, positive, happy adults who aren’t afraid of a changing, challenging future. Buying, reading, and applying this book is that rare, incredible investment that can absolutely protect, encourage, and “bless” your child—and you.”

—John Trent, PhD, author of the million-selling parenting book The Blessing and president of StrongFamilies.com