Sayville Resident Co-Authors Books to Teach Children Money Matters

As a retired teacher, Sayville resident Deanna Suckow knows when there is a lesson to be taught. Looking at her own family, she saw her grandchildren and realized that this younger generation had a lot to learn about handling finances. Along with her friend, also a retired teacher, Deanna Schwartzman, a resident or Commack, they set out to educate, even in their retirement. 

Suckow and Schwartzman have nine grandchildren between them and with them in mind, and the current state of the economy, they began a research project, which has culminated in a series of books.

"We were determined to give our grandchildren the knowledge of money management for a successful, well-informed financial future," said Suckow.

Together they wrote Teaching Children Money Matters: a Resource Guide for Parents, Grandparents, Teachers and Students  and its companion book, What Every Preteen, Teenager and Young Adult Needs to Know to Avoid Credit Card Debt (21 statements that may change how the future generations handle money to secure their futures) and an interactive workbook, Money Management Manifesto, which were all published by Dog Ear Publishing.

These books are geared toward teaching children the everyday knowledge they will need including balancing a checkbook, paying bills on time and the importance of saving money. The books also teach parents how to open the lines of communication when discussing finances with their children.

According to the authors, parents can start when their children are toddlers with a basic allowance system and having the children divide their money into three categories – donate, spend and save.

The book is for toddlers, teens and college students, as the authors stress that it is never too late to change finance habits. The book also includes a section how grandparents can help teach their grandchildren about finances.

"Watching the news and seeing the headlines about how bad the economy was and the amount of credit card debt people had, we knew we had to do something," said Schwartzman. "There was not enough being done in the schools and we realized that parents and grandparents needed tools to help the younger generation."

The books are available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobel and on their website. Suckow and Schwartzman are also appearing at local events to promote financial awareness. On Sept. 5, they will be at the Church of the Most Precious Blood on Davis Park from 12 - 4 p.m. for their annual arts and crafts show.