Picture this: You've required your 13-year-old to save a specific amount of money ever since you started giving her an allowance at age seven. But suddenly, with a growing appetite for clothes, accessories and CDs, she digs in her platform heels and insists, "It's my money! You can't force me to save!"

Guess what? She's right! And up to a point, the more control you try to exert, the less kids are bound to learn. Even if your little angels never overtly rebel, after they leave home they may joyously exclaim, "Yippee! Now I don't have to save anymore!"

Just like most of their parents! With the national personal savings rate dipping into negative territory recently, it's clear that the typical mom and dad are not great savers. Yet many parents require their children to sock away 10, 30 or even 50 percent of the allowance or gift money they receive, with the hope their kids will be more diligent savers than they are.

Even if you are a better role model than most adults, legislating that kids save a specific amount is not a sure-fire strategy. Consider these twin ways to entice your children to want to save:

Help Them Set Goals
The goals should be meaningful to your kids, even if they aren't to you. Say your 8-year-old is salivating over an ad for a new video game. Or it has just occurred to your 14-year-old that in two years she'll have her driver's license, and she'll want a set of wheels. You can help them figure out the cost and then map out a savings strategy that will help them reach their goal.

For instance, if the 8-year-old receives a $5 allowance each week and saves half, it will take about four and a half months to save up for a $50 game. If he whines that he can't wait that long, point out he can have the game a month sooner if he saves $3.50 a week.

Still not quick enough? You can offer to pay him to do some chores (on top of his regular chores, for which he should not be paid), such as washing the car, raking leaves, cleaning the bathroom - things you might pay someone else to do. Presenting him with choices will further motivate him and teach him the value of careful budgeting.

Provide Incentives
Sometimes, especially with bigger-ticket items, a little help can make an ambitious goal seem reachable and motivate savers to stick to their plans. You might want to provide a matching grant: If your 14-year-old saves $1,000 before she gets her license, you can offer to kick in another $1,000 (or whatever fits your circumstances).

Or you can create a 401(k)-type contribution, matching money she deposits into her savings account (such as dollar for dollar or 50 cents on the dollar - again, whatever you decide). Another option: Double the interest rate or pay extra interest monthly, so your kids can watch their savings compound more quickly.

Goals and incentives help your kids appreciate the value of saving. By taking control over their financial future, they will feel a greater sense of empowerment, pride and self-esteem. They will also appreciate the items they work hard to buy much more than things bought for them.