These Little Piggies Save at Home

· A 44-page softcover parent handbook, a softcover workbook for the child and a coloring and activity book.

· An eight-chapter CD-ROM in which Beacham walks you through talking to your children about setting financial goals and making the right money choices. To order, go to http://www.moneysavvygeneration.com or call 866-390-5959.

Finally, Intuit has developed Quicken Kids & Money, a subscription-based Web site -- http://www.quickenkidsandmoney.com-- for children ages 5 to 8. An introductory offer, good through the end of April, is $69.99. Regular price for a one-year membership is $99.99.

I initially balked at the regular price. But after trying the Web site, I was hooked. Computer-savvy kids will love this site, which has several sections, including one for parents, and a KidsZone. As part of your subscription, you'll be sent four money pouches (for up to four children) labeled: sharing, quick cash, medium-term savings and long-term savings.

Intuit has the right idea. Financial literacy has to begin at home.

"We believe the most impactful place to help children learn about money is through their parents," said Denise LaBuda, business leader for consumer education initiatives at Intuit. "We are a culture that really doesn't talk about money, but if we do demonstrate it, it's mostly on the spending side."

LaBuda thinks that schools should play a part in teaching financial literacy but that because our educational system is often value-neutral, it is up to parents to make sure their children don't leave home without the right money skills and values.

As LaBuda put it: "It's hard to unravel the bad money habits once they become adults."

If you are interested in discussing this month's selections or how to teach your child about money, join me online at http://www.washingtonpost.com at noon, Monday, April 23. As part of the monthly book club, I randomly select readers to receive a copy of books donated by the publishers. The giveaway this month will be all the products featured in this column donated by the various companies. In addition, Intuit is donating one-year subscriptions to Quicken Kids & Money. For a chance to win, send an e-mail to colorofmoney@washpost.com. Please include your name, telephone number and address. Only one product or subscription per household.

Research and reporting assistant Charity Brown contributed to this column.