Appropriate age group(s):
K-5 on up.

Description of technique for teaching kids the value of money:
It's so important to teach our children to make responsible choices when it comes to managing money. But it is also equally important to teach them that money isn't everything.

Money can't buy happiness. We've all heard it and thought, "Yeah right, give me a million bucks and I'll show you how much happiness I can buy!" But happiness can't be bought. Happiness comes from within.

It's very important to teach your kids how to manage their money. But money should never be the most important goal. We need to teach our kids good values. Encouraging respect for themselves and others, responsibility, forgiveness, honesty, empathy and leadership are just as (if not more) important than being good financial managers. (See What Works: Teaching Your Kids Values).

And good values will translate into more thoughtful spending in the end!