Teaching your children about money - what one lesson would you want them to learn?

I would want my dds to understand that earning and having your own money is so, soooo much better than borrowing/credit etc. As well as the obvious financial benefits of earning, it is important for self esteem, equality and independence. I started working at the age of around 13 (little summer jobs for people) and have always worked hard to have my own money.

If you are going to take out credit don't be bamboozled by APR, or whatever this month's regulated item is, because they just hide the cost in something else like admin charges.
Simply ask them: what is the toal repayment. How much will it cost per month, over how many months, and what initial/terminal charges are there.

And then have a rainy-day fund to cover three months' payments.

The minute you start getting a regular wage, sort out a standing order to siphon off part of it to a savings account. You'll never miss what you don't have, and will be pleasantly surprised to see how much you can accumulate over a year or so.

Understand interest rates, don't put all your money in one basket. Save a little for the long term future 20-30 years, Save a bit more for near future 2 - 5 years. & enjoy the here and now. That when you do borrow make sure the item last longer than the the time you are paying it back (Commerce teacher taught me that one)
Don't waste money on unnecessary insurance or warranties. Look for the add on benefits of a job, not just the wages. Don't beleive the hype that you need everything on offer., just because everyone else has it. Buy your own home as soon as possible. Not for profit but your sanity.

There's no such thing as a DFS sale.

Never spend what you haven't got or haven't a hope of repaying easily. I use a credit card but pay it off every month. It's useful, but I don't use it as a longterm credit facility.

And save what you can for the days you'll need it.

That you have to work for your money and anything you want in life and also make your money work hard for you.

By that I mean that they appreciate the value in earning money rather than expecting handouts and being in control of budgets, savings etc.

Save first, spend later - and then a little later in life to have the business plan to know the difference between borrowing for debt and borrowing as an investment.

Same as feetheart credit is evil. If you want something save for it, or accept that you can't afford it. Never use credit.

To use this country as an example of poor value for money and emigrate as soon as they can.

I want them not to be afraid of being in control. It sounds ridiculous, but what I hope my son will learn is a healthy attitude towards checking finances, working out what he can and can't afford, and knowing how to reach his goal through saving and planning.

(As opposed to my almost-lifelong habit of being too afraid to check, spending anyway, then having reason to be afraid when I finally do check!)

That they print more every day...

Budgeting their cash to reach their fiancial aspirations (getting that bike earlier in life, getting mortage and paying it off later in life). Obviously saving is an essential part of that!

That saving for something is soooooooooooo much better than buying it on credit.