(Without Putting Them to Sleep) How to Teach Your Teen the Power of Investing
MAKE IT RELATABLE Teens today love brands like Apple, Nike, and Netflix. Help them see that behind every product they use is a company, and those companies sell shares of ownership called stocks. When they realize they can own a piece of the companies they already love, investing becomes much more tangible. Some parents even buy a single share of stock in their teen’s favorite brand as a birthday or graduation gift. It’s symbolic and sparks curiosity. TEACH SMART HABITS, NOT SHORTCUTS It’s important to stress that investing isn’t about “getting rich quick.” Teenagers are exposed to social media hype, in which investing is sometimes portrayed as a gamble or shortcut. Instead, talk about diversification, spreading money across different investments to reduce risk. Compare it to playlists: If one song is bad, the whole playlist isn’t ruined.
LET THEM PRACTICE Plenty of investing apps and simulators let teens try building portfolios without risking real money. Some even allow parents to open custodial accounts so teens can start investing for real under guidance. Hands-on experience will stick with them far longer than theory. FRAME IT AS FREEDOM Finally, frame it as all-around empowerment. Investing is less about charts and tickers, and more about creating choices: choosing what career to pursue without financial fear, deciding to travel, opting for security for their own future families. When teens understand that investing gives them freedom, not just money, you’ve given them a lesson that will outlast any allowance.
When it comes to teaching kids about money, most parents focus on the basics: saving, budgeting, and maybe even how to avoid credit card debt. But here’s the truth: The earlier your teenager learns about investing, the more powerful their financial future can be. And no, it doesn’t have to be a boring lecture about the stock market. In fact, it can be fun, practical, and surprisingly eye-opening for them. SHOW THE POWER OF TIME Teenagers often struggle to think beyond next Friday night, but investing is all about the long game. A great way to show this is through a simple compounding example. Explain that if they invest $100 a month starting at 16, and stop at 26, they could end up with more by retirement than someone who starts at 30 and invests for decades. The “time machine” of compounding is one of the most powerful motivators.
SUDOKU
CREAMY BRAISED SHORT RIBS
Inspired by RecipesByJanet.com
INGREDIENTS
5 lbs bone-in short ribs Ground black pepper 1 yellow onion, thinly sliced 6 garlic cloves, chopped 1 tbsp fresh thyme leaves 1 cup white wine or broth
1/2 cup water
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1 cup heavy cream
1 cup chopped kale (optional) 4 tbsp salted butter, divided
8 fresh sage leaves
DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat the oven to 325 F. 2. In a large braiser, season short ribs with black pepper. Scatter onion, garlic, and thyme over ribs. Pour in white wine or broth and 1/2 cup water. 3. Cover the braiser with a lid and roast for 2 1/2–3 hours. 4. Increase temperature to 400 F. Remove the lid, skim excess fat, and stir in heavy cream, kale, and 2 tbsp butter. Roast uncovered for 10–20 minutes. 5. Heat a small skillet over medium heat. Melt remaining butter and fry sage leaves until crisp. 6. Serve ribs hot with creamy sauce, garnished with sage.
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