Moms know best? When it comes to money, sometimes they do.

Even in the most egalitarian households, the vast majority of day-to-day spending is handled by mothers, according to financial experts and some consumer studies. Women have the final say in 80 percent of all consumer purchases, according to estimates by consulting firm A.T. Kearney.

"They're more visible as a role model in handling money. A child is not necessarily going to observe dad buying the life insurance policy, but they see mom using the credit card or ATM card at the grocery store or gas pump," said Eleanor Bayley, consumer advocate for the Washington, D.C.-based Certified Financial Planner Board. "As a result, mothers have a marvelous opportunity to use these day-to-day tasks as teaching moments for children."

Maybe that's why some of the best financial advice is what we picked up as kids. So, in honor of Mother's Day, we asked readers what they learned from mom. Here's what they shared:

Spare change

As a 5-year-old growing up in Chico in the '50s and '60s, David Delgardo didn't get an allowance. But every time he accumulated a pocketful of change, his mother insisted it go straight into the bank.

Now a schools superintendent living in Rocklin, Delgardo says those nickels, dimes and quarters added up to some common-sense lessons.

"With each acquisition, I was marched down to Lassen Savings and Loan at Second and Broadway in Chico, where I would deposit the change in a savings account 'for my future.' Mom made me. Never was it explained to me what 'my future' meant.

"(Later), as a 12-year-old, my eye was captured by the Raleigh 10-speed bicycle in Mr. Pullin's cyclery shop. … I was able to convince (my parents) that my future included the new Raleigh. I paid the $119 in cash out of my savings and felt I owned something I had truly earned.

"Eight years later, I lusted in a similar manner for a Honda 90 trail bike. Not having quite enough money prompted me to go to the local Laurentide Thrift and borrow $400. Six or seven months into the payment schedule, I sat down, did some math and discovered that the (loan) was costing me much more than the sticker price.

"Lesson learned. I paid cash for my first automobile – a new 1971 VW Super Beetle – and its replacement, a 1977 Ford F-100 pickup.

"I have not been able to pay cash for every big new purchase since then, but there is some satisfaction and security that my only regular monthly payment is a mortgage.

"Today, 'my future' has included annual vacations, a trip to Europe, a variety of paddle craft and motorcycles, a comfortable home, occasional dinners out with overpriced bottles of wine, and fond memories of the nice lady at Lassen Savings.

"Mom made me do it. (Her) best advice: Save first, pay cash."

No 'easy money'

Many people mistakenly assume kids only learn domestic skills – cooking, sewing, taking care of kids – from their mothers, says Mary McFadden, an analyst with the Sacramento Police Department. But McFadden says her own mom, Beverly Waters, a retired real estate broker and "a great businesswoman," taught her the value of money at a very young age.

"Growing up, we didn't always have a lot. We were expected to work for our money and get part-time jobs when we were old enough. If I asked for a loan, she would set up a balance sheet and charge a small amount of interest. As I paid her back, I could check the balance sheet, which she kept in her desk drawer. There was an immediate reward seeing the balance go down as I paid her back. This made a big impression on me and is one of the main reasons I have an excellent credit score. Throughout life, I've always paid back loans, whether to banks or my mom.

"It may sound 'cold' for a mom to do this, but being accountable was the best teacher. When I was young, I may have been frustrated that I couldn't get 'easy money,' but now I am grateful for the money management lessons I learned from my mom."

Doing more with less

Have a personal finance question? Contact The Bee's Claudia Buck at (916) 321-1968.