By Bill Dodds | Catholic News Service

Good news, moms and dads! It has never been easier to avoid having that awkward conversation with your children: explaining the fiscal facts of life.

Here are seven simple keys to dodging that unpleasant task:

-- Say "no"? No way! Never say "no" when your child asks you to buy something for him or her. (Don't be negative. That's bad, right?) The best way to open your heart, and prove your love, is to open your wallet.

-- Possessions are the foundation of friendship. You want your son or daughter to have many wonderful friends and that simply can't happen if he or she doesn't own the latest, greatest, absolutely coolest ... whatever ... that all the other kids have. All the other kids, Mom. Every single one of them, Dad.

-- It's best to keep religion out of this. Separation of church and state right? And who makes money? Actually prints it or mints it? The state. That's right. 

So pay no attention to the Catechism of the Catholic Church when it points out that "the Tenth Commandment forbids greed and the desire to amass earthly goods without limit" (No. 2536).

It continues: "When the law says, 'You shall not covet,' these words mean that we should banish our desire for whatever does not belong to us. Our thirst for another's goods is immense, infinite, never quenched. Thus it is written: 'He who loves money never has money enough'" (No 2536).

-- Donating is just crazy. As if you're supposed to give -- just give -- your money to a charity or a parish or a ... That's makes no sense. Many people donate so you don't have to.

But if you feel the slightest tickle of guilt about that decision, solemnly vow, "Dear God, I will set up a foundation to help the poor just as soon as I win the Powerball. Well, maybe not just as soon as I do, but very, very soon afterward."

Believe it! Let your children in on your wonderfully generous plan. Pretty exciting, huh kids?

-- "Want" is a synonym for "need." "Credit" is a fancy word for "money." Set an example for your youngsters: If you want it, you need it. If you need it but you don't have the money for it, use credit. Use a lot of it.

-- Live in the now. If you want/need it now, then buy/charge it now. On the other hand, if you want to help teach your children the value of patience, skip the one-day shipping (which comes with an extra fee) and settle for the free two-day option.

-- Don't allow that allowance nonsense. It's just so complicated. Keep track of who gets what when? And it has to be some predetermined and reasonable amount?

Besides, what's "reasonable"? That's so ... 1950s. (What next, suggest they get a paper route?) And keep in mind "budgeting" is just a grown-up term for "allowance." Forget it! You don't need that hassle.

The bottom line: Remember, the better you are at not discussing money matters with your children, the more likely they'll be living with you a long, long time after they turn 21.

More family time! Win-win!

Bill Dodds and his late wife, Monica, were the founders of the Friends of St. John the Caregiver (www.FSJC.org). He can be contacted at [email protected].