We started a bold experiment recently in our house: paying our children interest on their savings accounts at the astronomical rate of 3% a week.

Why would any parent want to do such a thing? My argument is that it was the best way to teach our children about what should happen to money when you save it. I also saw it as a good opportunity to build their skills for evaluating how to spend accumulating cash.

It all started when my Paypal began to show signs of life, thanks to the freelance world of writing. Soon my account had grown enough that I began to wonder how I could put this new stream of income to good use.

I talked to the hubby who agreed that more money management skills would be beneficial for our two daughters, ages 9 and 15. But he had reservations about the 3% a…