We may not realize it, but children are hyperaware of money. They have scores of questions about its nuances that parents often don't answer, or know how to answer well. But for Ron Lieber, a personal finance columnist and father, good parenting means talking about money with our kids much more often. When parents avoid these conversations, they lose a tremendous opportunity -- not just to model important financial behaviors, but also to imprint lessons about what their family cares about most. Lieber covers the basics: allowance, chores, the Tooth Fairy, charity, savings, birthdays, holidays, cell phones, splurging, clothing, cars, part-time jobs, and college tuition. But he also identifies a set of traits and virtues -- modesty, patience, generosity, and perspective -- that parents hope their young adults will carry with them out into the world. Grounded in real-world stories from families with a range of incomes, The Opposite of Spoiled is a practical guidebook for parents that is rooted in timeless values.

Why we need to talk about money -- How to start the money conversations -- The allowance debates -- The smartest ways for kids to spend -- Are we raising materialistic kids? -- How to talk about giving -- Why kids should work -- The luckiest -- How much is enough?