Learn financial essentials with 'Centsibility'

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Out at the mall, in the window of a certain store, there hangs the hottest shirt you've ever seen in your life.

It's the right size for you. It's your favorite color. You know you'd look awesome wearing it. It's even on sale.

But unfortunately, the only thing in your purse right now is your iPod and dust.

But hold up. Just because you're a kid doesn't mean you have to be broke. Ask your mom, dad or teacher to get you a copy of "Centsibility: The Planet Girl Guide to Money" by Stacey Roderick, Ellen Warwick and Monika Melnychuk and read it. Your purse and your piggy bank will love you for it.

Zillions of people go to work every day and they bring home fat paychecks. But if you're a kid with no job, what can you do? Plenty, say the authors of this book.

First, ask for an allowance. If you already get one, ask for a raise and be ready to take extra chores to earn it. Find out if your parents will give quarterly "bonuses" for big projects, such as cleaning out the garage. Look for tasks that grown-ups are too busy to do and ask if you can do them for a little extra cash.

Maybe there are little things that need to be done around the neighborhood. Put your best foot forward and, with your parents' permission, set up "interviews" to "apply" for those jobs. Not only will your neighbors be impressed (and probably hire you), but it's good practice for when you're big-time job hunting.

So now that you've got all this money, what will you do with it? The authors say you should definitely save 10 percent of your earnings. You may want to stash away more, but don't be a Scrooge. Be smart and be willing to give back to your community.

And that shirt at the mall...? It's calling your name and you need to buy it. Or do you? There's a difference between need and want. Figure out which is more important. Oh, and when you go back to the mall, pay attention and be a compassionate shopper. The world will thank you for it.

Think girls are bad at math and finances? Not necessarily, and definitely not with "Centsibility" in their backpacks. From interesting money-making ideas to compound interest, the authors show girls how to have balance in their financial lives. They advocate donating both time and money, being smart about lending and saving as well as spending wisely. Add in fun illustrations and you have a book for any girl who heeds the call of the mall.

Because the average 15-year-old has undoubtedly already thought of most of these ideas, I think any 9- to 14-year-old girl would appreciate owning this book. For them, reading "Centsibility" makes dollars and cents.

Terri Schlichenmeyer's book reviews appear weekly in the View. She can be reached by e-mail at bookwormsez@yahoo.com.