How to Make Kids $$$$ Savvy

Lesson 1: It doesn't grow on trees

(NEWSER) - Give your kids a head start in the real world with these tips from Zen Habits:

1. Let them control a small portion of your budget, like $50 a month for eating out.
2. Show them how to save for large purchases.
3. Teach them to reduce expenses to reach goals faster.

Carl Richards: Financial arguments 'come from surprises'

(NEWSER) - A financial discussion with your spouse can feel like a minefield of emotional surprises. Financial planner Carl Richards advises you to first have "the conversation before the decision gets made," which "can make a huge difference" in your relationship, he writes in the New York Times Bucks blog . Also:

• Limit your spending. "Often our biggest arguments come from surprises," so set a threshold for surprise purchases.

New study discovers why some people may take financial risks

(NEWSER) - Why are some stock traders and gamblers so willing to take financial risks? A new study shares a possible answer: Scientists found that people with higher levels of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine in a critical part of the brain related to sensory and reward systems are less sensitive to the pain of financial loss. The discovery could help researchers to develop drugs to treat gambling addicts, Reuters notes. More»

A 12-month guide to taking control of your finances

(NEWSER) - If your New Year’s resolution is to take control of your finances, you’re in luck: Brett Arends provides a handy month-by-month guide in the Wall Street Journal :

• January: Max out your 401(k) contributions if your budget can handle it, or at least hit the company match level. Ideally, you should be saving 15% or more of your income.
• February: Analyze your 2010 statements to see where all your money went—then set a budget for 2011 and try to cut back.
• March: Use cash instead of credit or ATM/debit cards. Plastic can make it too easy to spend too much.

Best spots to raise kids boast good schools, low crime

(NEWSER) - BusinessWeek has combed the US for the best places to raise a family and has come up with a Chicago suburb to top the rankings again. The rest of the list, based on factors that include education, crime rate, cultural vitality, and air quality, is broken down by state. A sampling:

• Tinley Park, Ill.: Takes the top spot for its "top-rated schools, low crime, beautiful parks, relatively affordable houses, and easy access to jobs."
• Arcadia, Calif.: The Los Angeles suburb is a back-to-back winner for its "low crime and excellent schools" as well as "a number of peacocks that hang out in the neighborhood near the Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanical Garden."