Parents Can Teach Teens Valuable Economic Principles When Buying a First Car or Planning Vacations, AAA Says

AAA suggests ways it can help parents give teens life lessons in money management

ORLANDO, Fla., Sept. 1 -- Parents that want to provide their teens with constructive lessons in consumer finance can use two exciting events in most young adults' lives to further their financial education, AAA says.

"Older teens that are eager to own their own vehicle or take a special trip with family or friends can learn some important life lessons about money that will serve them well as they mature," said Bill Gerhard, director of AAA Financial Services. "Both events should involve researching costs, setting a budget, saving with the benefit of compounding interest, investigating financing options and credit terms and, ultimately, achieving the goal of a vehicle or a vacation."

AAA clubs can help parents work with teens on both of these goals via one of the motoring and travel organization's more than 1,100 travel agency locations and by using AAA Financial Services products as a source of savings and possible financing.

AAA suggests the following approach whether the goal is an automobile or a special after-graduation or educational trip:

  1. Set time aside to meet as a family and talk about what your son or
     daughter wants, when they want it, how much money may be involved and
     what financial resources may or may not be available. Discuss the costs
     of credit versus paying cash. If they are not already employed, your
     teen may need to find a job or start earning money doing chores for
     others. Perhaps they have a special skill they can use to earn money.
     If they are already driving a used vehicle, the trade-in or resale
     value may help cover the down payment.
  2. Begin researching costs.  If it is an automobile go to
     AAA.com/AutoMaker to research vehicle reviews and prices. Review AAA's
     Your Driving Costs available at AAA.com/PublicAffairs to understand the
     full cost of owning and operating a car or truck. AAA.com also is a
     great place to find travel bargains. Trips aimed at older teens and
     adults to age 35 are available through AAA's partnership with Contiki
     tours. Cruises can be an excellent way for older teens and others to
     stay within a budget, although minimum age requirements or an escort of
     at least 25 years of age typically apply. For information on AAA tours
     and cruise packages visit a AAA Travel Agency or go to: AAA.com/Travel.
  3. Set a financial goal that must be attained before the vehicle or trip
     is purchased. Some parents will match what their teens save or
     contribute a fixed amount if their teen saves an appropriate share of
     the expense. Others parents will expect their son or daughter to raise
     all of the needed funds. If a portion of the expense is to be financed,
     some AAA clubs may be able to help parents who are willing to co-sign a
     consumer loan. Be clear about who will be responsible for what.
  4. Create a calendar indicating how much money must be saved each week or
     month in order to reach the goal by a specified time. Have your teen
     begin putting their funds into a deposit product geared toward saving.
     AAA offers certificates of deposit and money market accounts at higher
     than average market rates for savers via its relationship with Discover
     Bank. Use an online financial calculator -- such as the ones available
     for CDs and money market accounts at AAA.com/Deposits -- to show how
     much interest these deposits will generate by the time the goal is
     reached. Understanding the value of compounding interest on deposits is
     crucial for all savers. This lesson can help teens understand the
     wisdom of saving for every major financial event; whether starting a
     family, buying a home, opening a business or retiring in comfort.
  5. Meet regularly with your teen to review their financial progress. Once
     their goal is almost within reach start shopping for the new vehicle or
     meet with a AAA travel agent. AAA travel agencies will work with all
     travelers, although members are entitled to special discounts and
     benefits. The buying process is exciting, but make sure your teen
     resists the urge to make a purchase before all the needed funds are
     available. This can be especially true when visiting an automobile
     dealership where the pressure to buy now can be especially challenging.
  6. Once the financial goal has been met, teen travelers can put their
     spending money on a TravelMoney card available through AAA. This
     reloadable payment mechanism will not allow the user to exceed the
     funds available on the card, helping teens stay with their budget. And
     if need be, additional funds can be added to the card at any time.
     Since the card is replaceable, if it is lost or stolen the unused funds
     can be recovered, helping to protect their hard earned savings.

  7. When the financial goal is achieved, celebrate with a special meal or
     gift at one of more than 164,000 locations offering AAA Show Your Card
     & Save(R) discounts. Teaching your teen the value of AAA membership is
     another practical lesson in consumer finance.

As North America's largest motoring and leisure travel organization, AAA provides more than 51 million members with travel, insurance, financial and automotive-related services. Since its founding in 1902, the not-for-profit, fully tax-paying AAA has been a leader and advocate for the safety and security of all travelers. AAA clubs can be visited on the Internet at AAA.com.