Make Your Kid a Money Genius (Even if You're Not): A Parent's Guide for Kids 3 to 23

Best-selling financial author Kobliner (Get a Financial Life) here provides a step-by-step look at developing financial literacy skills throughout childhood. Concerned that we are avoiding teaching our kids the financial facts of life, she outlines specific dos and don'ts that parents can adopt, such as whether or not allowances should be tied to chores. She strongly suggests disclosing neither your salary nor the babysitter's wage, and presents age-appropriate money skills for preschoolers through college grads ("Research shows that kids whose parents carry the full burden of college costs score lower GPAs than kids who chip in."). Addressing everything from car loans to moving home after college, Kobliner's recommendations are practical, thorough, and relevant (e.g., she explains why extended warranties are almost always unnecessary).