3 Creative Ways to Teach Children About Money

3 Creative Ways to Teach Your Kids About Money (Without Putting Them to Sleep) Let’s be honest: most kids think money just comes out of the wall. Or worse—“Can’t you just use the card?” If you’ve ever watched your child blow through their birthday cash like it’s Monopoly money, this post (and video 👇) is for you. We want to raise Game Changers and Wealth Builders—not future adults who learn the hard way that “0% interest for 12 months” is not free money. 1. Gamify the Basics Kids love games. So make saving and budgeting one. Set up a “family bank” where they earn interest on savings. Match their savings like a 401(k) for chores. Let them “invest” in snack stocks—buy Goldfish at 10 cents today, sell at 15 cents next week. Suddenly, compound interest is cooler than Roblox coins. 2. Use Real-Life Scenarios (a.k.a. Don’t Be Boring) Skip the PowerPoint presentation. Teach money in the wild: Grocery shopping? Show them unit pricing. Eating out? Let them help calculate the tip. Road trip? Hand them a gas budget and let them play CFO. They’ll absorb way more from hands-on money moments than any lecture. 3. Give Them Control—And Let Them Mess Up Yep, you read that right. Let. Them. Blow. It. Nothing drives home the value of money like watching $20 vanish in a flash on the worst claw machine in America. It's a lesson in budgeting, buyer’s remorse, and decision-making all in one go. You’re not raising perfection. You’re raising confidence. And confidence comes from experience—even the oops kind. 🎥 Watch the full video for more tips and a few laughs along the way. I’ll show you how to plant the seeds for financial literacy that actually stick. Because let’s face it—your kid knows 84 YouTubers by name. It’s time they learn who Warren Buffett is, too. Ready to raise a money-smart kid (and maybe brush up on your own skills too)?Let’s un-eff the next generation’s finances, one piggy bank at a time. 💪🐷💸

Episode Transcript

(00:03):
Welcome to Unf Your Finances with Nicholas Saint
George from Saint George Wealth Management.
This is the podcast where we help busy
professionals navigate the complexities of their finances,
making the most out of their hard earned
money. We don't f around and find out.
We plan for the unexpected
by breaking down complex topics with humor, honesty,

(00:23):
and stories.
Join us on this journey where we explore
the real truth about finance,
empowering you to understand and manage your money
better.
Nicholas draws from years of expertise and invites
guest experts to solve your financial challenges
and help you stay on track for retirement.
Hi. I'm Nick St. George, certified financial planner.

(00:45):
Now let's be honest. Trying to teach kids
about money can feel like trying to explain
Wi Fi to your grandparents.
They ask you to Venmo them for snacks,
and five minutes later, they're trying to buy
a $600 gaming chair on Amazon.
But here's the good news. Money lessons don't
have to be complicated or stressful. Some of
the best ones happen during everyday life. You
just need to know where to look. So

(01:05):
here are three fun, low stress ways to
teach kids about money without making it feel
like a lecture.
So there's the video game economy lesson. Let's
start where your kids already spend their time,
video games, game like Minecraft, Fortnite, Roblox. They're
loaded with mini economies. They are in virtual
currency. They save for items. They make impulsive
buys. They trade skins or tokens, and they're

(01:26):
learning money behavior whether you realize it or
not. Use it as a conversation starter. Hey,
Beau. What are you saving up for in
that game? Hey, Caroline. Have you ever bought
something you regretted?
Why are rare items more expensive?
That's supply and demand. That's budgeting. That's investing
disguised as fun.
Next up, turn your weekly grocery run into

(01:47):
a real life money mission. Give your child
$10 and a small snack list. Their job?
Stretch that money. Suddenly,
they're comparing prices, checking unit costs, choosing between
store brand or name brand. You just taught
them opportunity cost, budgeting,
price comparison, all without them realizing it, And
they'll love the challenge, especially if snacks are
involved.

(02:07):
Last but not least, help them learn that
money isn't just about spending. It's about giving
too. Give them a small amount, let's say
5 or $10, and let them choose a
charity, community project, or a cause to support.
Better yet, encourage them to match it with
their own allowance.
They'll learn how to research what matters to
them, the power of a contribution,

(02:27):
and the value of generosity.
Spoiler alert, this one sticks with them way
longer than you would think. Just remember, start
the conversation. The goal isn't to raise tiny
accountants. It's to raise financially confident adults. Whether
you try one of these ideas or come
up with your own, the most important step
is just starting the conversation.
And if you ever need help turning everyday
moments into a long term money lesson, that's

(02:49):
what I'm here for.
So click the link below to book a
family financial strategy session. Let's build a plan
that supports your goals and sets up the
next generation for success.
The information covered and posted represents the views
and opinions of the guest and does not
necessarily represent the views or opinions of St.
George Wealth Management.
The content has been made available for informational

(03:11):
and educational purposes only.
The content is not intended to be a
substitute for professional investing advice.
Always seek the advice of your financial advisor
or other qualified financial service provider with any
questions you may have regarding your investment planning.
The opinions voiced in this podcast are for
general information only and are not intended to
provide specific advice or recommendations

(03:31):
for any individual.
To determine which strategies or investments may be
suitable for you, consult the appropriate qualified professional
prior to making a decision.
Securities and advisory services offered through LPL Financial,
a registered investment advisor, member FINRA and SIPC.
Any guests in their company or companies are
not affiliated with or endorsed by LPL Financial

(03:53):
unless otherwise stated.
Individual tax and legal matters should be discussed
with your tax or legal professional.
Economic forecasts set forth may not develop as
predicted, and there can be no guarantee that
strategies promoted will be successful.
All performance referenced is historical and is no
guarantee for future results.
All indices are unmanaged and may not be

(04:14):
invested into directly.
There is no assurance that the techniques and
strategies discussed are suitable for all investors or
will yield positive outcomes.
The purchase of certain securities may be required
to affect some of the strategies.
Investing involves risks, including possible loss of principal.