Your teenager with a debit card. There, now that image will get your attention? Handling money matters is a job that even seasoned adults have a difficult time doing, so how is it possible to get your kid to save instead of spend?

Curtis Arnold is a father, an Arkansas-based author and founder of CardRatings.com and BestPrepaidDebitCards.com. Here are his six tactics you can use to think like a financial advisor:

1. Give them a foundation. As early as possible, start teaching your kids about saving, sharing, and spending. When your kid is a junior in high school, make him sit through a one-day personal finance course.

2. Talk about money. Money is a taboo subject, but it’s important that you be open with your teen. Share your mistakes, and share your good choices too, so that he understand the implications of both.

3. Dole out an allowance. Allowances give your teen hands-on experience with money, but make sure the allowance is tied to financial obligations. For instance, I give my daughter an allowance for doing household chores, and she has to pay for her own gas and entertainment.

4. Stick to your guns. When your teen runs out of money, don’t hand them an extra $20 for movie night with their friends. It’s easier said than done because in reality, you’re not an objective advisor. You’re a parent. But sticking to your guns is the best way to show your kid why it’s important to budget. In the real world, mom and dad may not always be around to bail them out.

5. Open a checking account. When your teen is a junior in high school, and after they take the one-day personal finance course, help them open a checking account. Keep it on a cash basis for now. No debit cards.

6. Carefully add plastic into the mix. After your teen has had a checking account for six months to a year and has proven he can manage it well, consider a card. A debit card is one option, but you have to carefully monitor a teen’s statements. Or, avoid overdraft fees and other charges by getting your kid a low-fee, pre-paid card. There are a couple out there that are good precursors or alternatives to debit cards.

Even Arnold's family faced some checkbook issues when this son started his freshman year of college. Hear about his personal experiences in the June 2013 issue of Little Rock Family.

This article originally appeared on LittleRockFamily.com in June 2013.