Advertisers hope to have children brand aware by age three.  Their research has shown that children as young as six months can begin to form mental images of corporate logos and mascots. And these advertisers are aggressive in their efforts: Children are exposed to 1.2 million advertising messages a year.  That's over 3,000 messages a day.  It's intended to have an effect -- and it does!A quarter of a century ago, advertisers spent a mere $100 million a year marketing to kids.  Today, American companies spent $17 billion annually on advertising aimed at children. That's the competition.  Can you handle it?  Waiting to teach your child about money until they can understand the concept of money -- the fact that it can be exchanged for goods and services (typically around age three) -- definitely puts you behind the power curve. If you want to take on the advertisers, you'll need to start introducing your child to basic financial principals at an early age.  Granted, they will not full... read more »