Article updated: 1/17/2013 10:24 AM

Naperville woman teaches kids the value of a dollar

Buy this photo Buy this photo
next prev 1 of 4
   

Melanie Jane Nicolas and her children, Jayden, 5, Dylan, 6, Dean, 4, and Jardeleza Javier, 9, show the six labeled money jars the kids use to divide their money.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Dean Javier, 4, places money in labeled money jars to help him organize his money, while his mother Melanie Jane Nicolas looks on. Fifty percent of gifts and allowance money go into the living jar for wants and needs. The rest is divided equally among the jars for financial freedom (investments), savings, education, play and donations.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Jardeleza Javier, 9, and her sister Jayden, 5, put money in their labeled money jars. Their mother, Melanie Jane Nicolas, believes kids should start to manage their own money as soon as they understand the difference between a want and a need.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

Dylan Javier, 6, and his sister Jardeleza, 9, divide their money among their money jars. The children do extra chores to earn more money.

Mark Black | Staff Photographer

About this Article

Naperville resident Melanie Jane Nicolas believes kids should manage their own money as soon as they understand the difference between wants and needs and she's teaching them how to do this through the Kids Wealth International Club. Our thoughts, attitudes and beliefs determine our wealth potential, she says.