Saving Money Now Can Be Child’s Play

Trying to teach your kids how to handle money from their allowances and/or earnings?

The World of Money Allowance Kit for children ages 7-14, developed by Summit Financial Products in Denver, could be a big help. It is designed to teach kids how to spend, give, save and invest their money.

The Allowance Kit includes a bank with three separate compartments--spend/give, save and invest. It resembles a set of books that can be placed on a shelf. An instruction handbook with kid-friendly graphics teaches the basic principles of money management, and an audio cassette tape has advice for both kids and parents. There’s also a clever money wheel that shows how invested money grows with time.

Call (800) FOR-A-KIT to order the World of Money Allowance Kit ($29.95). Summit is also marketing an Allowance Kit Junior ($19.95), a simplified version for children ages 3 to 7.

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Clean Machine: Help in fending off the Tooth Fairy is on the way--without constant flossing.

Braun has introduced its new Oral-B Interclean plaque remover, a slick electronic tool that slides between the teeth and appears to be quite effective in removing the dreaded plaque. Its thin, mint-flavored cleaning filament spins at 6,500 rpm.

The cleaning tips--50 single-use ones are included--are easy to remove and dispose of. Two Flexi-Tip gum stimulators are also included.

Oral-B Interclean plaque removers ($60 to $80, depending on the model) are available at department stores and mass merchandisers. An Interclean model packaged with Braun’s Ultra electronic toothbrush ($150) will be out later this month. Call Braun at (800) 272-8611.

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Safe and Sound: ArmAlarm Sport is a combination security system/digital watch/stopwatch designed to protect joggers, skaters and bikers from accidents.

Lightweight at 2 ounces, the ArmAlarm Sport has a wide wristband and is worn like a normal watch. When you press the alarm button, it emits a 120-decibel alarm to alert others, especially auto drivers, of your whereabouts.

Available in yellow or black, it can be purchased for $29.95 by calling (800) 475-1305.