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You already know it’s coming, so you may as well prepare for it — the sales pitch.

It doesn’t matter that you just told her two minutes ago not to ask for anything. Your child, the one holding your hand as you walk into Target, will still say something like this: "I want to be a mermaid when I grow up. Can you buy me some mermaid clothes?"

Asking for stuff is part of a kid’s DNA. And they’re practically helpless against the ad blitz touting the next big thing that they absolutely can’t live without.

But once they begin to think of Mom and Dad as their personal ATM, experts say it’s high time for Finance 101— even if they just stopped wearing diapers.

According to Harris Interactive’s 2006 YouthPulse report, 8- to 21-year-olds spend $139 billion yearly. And even toddlers influence spending; kids ages 3 to 11 control about $18 billion, says market research publisher Packaged Facts. Kids nowadays are managing their own checking accounts, buying things with personal debit cards and dabbling with investments on Wall Street.

So this next generation of homeowners, parents and employees will need to be fiscally fit. To help get them in tip-top financial shape, here are seven rules to remember when teaching your children about money.

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