Financial Lessons I’m Teaching My Child

Ranjani
2 days ago
2 min read

Money talks weren’t exactly a thing when I was growing up. My parents worked hard, saved where they could, and sometimes money was “fine” and other times… well, we just didn’t ask too many questions. So when I became a mom, I decided I didn’t want money to be some mysterious adult topic my child only learned about in their twenties. I wanted him to grow up confident, curious, and capable with his finances—even if he’s just managing his pocket money right now.

Why I’m Starting Early

It’s never too early to start talking about money. Children learn from habits, not lectures. So if we make smart money moves a part of everyday life, it becomes second nature to them.

5 Financial Lessons I’m Teaching My Child

1. Money is Earned, Not Magically Given: We do small “earning tasks” at home—helping with laundry, watering plants—so he understands the connection between effort and reward.

2. Save a Little Before You Spend: We have a simple jar system:

Save: for something special.
Spend: for little treats.
Share: for charity or helping others.

3. Needs vs. Wants: When shopping, I ask, “Do we need this, or do we just want it?” This has sparked the cutest little debates in the supermarket aisle.

4. It’s Okay to Wait: We practice “delayed gratification” by waiting a week before buying a non-essential. More often than not, he forgets about it—and that’s a lesson in itself.

5. Generosity is a Form of Wealth: He knows part of his money is for giving. It’s not just about having more—it’s about using what you have to make someone else’s day better.

The Wins So Far

He’s starting to think twice before buying a toy.
He sees giving as something normal—not exceptional.

And the best part? These conversations have made me more mindful about my own spending. Turns out, teaching kids about money is also teaching me.

What money lessons are you passing on to your kids? Do you use pocket money, chores, or something else? Share your stories in the comments—I’d love to hear what’s working for your family.