Dollars, Cents, and Confidence

Weekly tips for the grown-ups shaping youth into financially savvy adults

Hey there! It's Talk About Money Tuesday, your favorite day of the week! 🤑

Labor Day is behind us (hope you had a good one!), but I'd like to keep the conversation about work going. Let's take a look at this data point related to job hunting...

Money Stat

49%

Companies turn off a lot of potential applicants when they're not up front about what a job pays. SurveyMonkey conducted a 2025 Workplace Culture and Trends survey of full-time workers that revealed nearly half of them were less likely to apply for jobs that didn't provide salary information. Pay transparency is even more important to Gen Zers, who also have high expectations for employers when it comes to pay equity. This year has been a big one for salary disclosures in job postings, and the trend is set to continue in 2026.

Money in the News

The news: A trade exemption that made items imported from overseas dirt cheap for U.S. consumers ended last week. The "de minimis" rule, which allowed packages worth less than $800 to enter the U.S. tariff-free, was first scrapped in May for imports from China and Hong Kong. Now imports from all countries face applicable duties and taxes.

What it means for young people: The cost of a haul from Shein, a Gen Z favorite, will be more expensive now, along with goods from other online retailers. Some small businesses are expected to pass cost increases from their overseas suppliers on to customers.

Tip for parents & mentors: Teach young shoppers how to avoid paying more than expected for items from abroad. Make sure they know how to look out for import duties and taxes that might not show up until checkout or once an item arrives. Other things to consider: higher shipping and handling fees and longer delivery times. As global trade rules shift, it's key for young consumers to understand that prices from international retailers are often just a starting point.

Get in the Zone

Money skill to master: The difference between gross income and net income

Why it matters: Sometimes young people experience a rude awakening when they get their first paycheck. That's because their take-home pay isn't at all what they expected. Understanding how taxes, employee benefits, and other deductions reduce what they earn will help them better manage their money.

Try this: Help future earners get familiar with gross income and net income before a paycheck ever hits their bank account. Walking them through a sample pay stub lets them see that a realistic monthly budget should be based on what they earn after deductions, not on gross income.

Money Talks

Kids under 14 can't get hired to work traditional jobs, but they can still earn money and learn to budget, save, invest, and give. Dog walking, selling artwork or hand-made jewelry at craft fairs, washing cars, babysitting, or the tried-and-true lemonade stand are all money-making opportunities for youth.

A 10-minute brainstorming session with the young person in your life could produce even more options. Who knows, maybe you'll think of an entrepreneurial venture like the one that ultimately made a Seattle teen a millionaire.

Loose Change

💰 Kids whose first job is at the same place where their parents work are likely to land higher starting salaries.

🥪 How did one woman cut about $1,500 a year from her work-related expenses? Hint: She turned to a much cheaper way of eating lunch while on the clock.

🥤Pumpkin spice season is in full swing, and inflation and tariffs have made the popular fall flavor pricier than last year. Some people are shrugging off the increase.