My favorite money post I ever wrote
10 years later, so much has changed in my life, but this post makes me smile (and gives actual good advice, too)
Hi there, my friend.
Today, my wife and I are finishing up moving my son back in to his dorm for his sophomore year in college.
It’s hard. I’m not going to lie. I mean, how did the kid in this picture become a college student? It melts my brain.
I hope it won’t be as emotional as last year was — oh, man, that first-ever dropoff at college is like few things I’ve ever experienced — but it definitely isn’t just another day either.
With that in mind, I wanted to share my favorite money post I ever wrote. From way back in 2015, a few years after the above picture was taken.
I don’t need to tell you how much the world has changed in those 10 years, but this post is a reminder to me of just how different my life was then. When I wrote it, my son was a 9-year-old elementary school student. Even the idea of him being a middle schooler seemed crazy to me at that point. Now, he’s a 19-year-old college kid.
No spoilers, but the post revolves around something most any parent can relate to: A kid asking a parent to buy them something during a trip to a store.
I chose to turn that ask into a teachable moment, which turned into the post below. (Click here or click the picture to read the story.)
One of the biggest takeaways from this piece is that it is never, ever too early to talk about money with your kids. Just be sure to keep it relatable and maybe even fun. Any kids’ eyes will glaze over if you’re just lecturing them, but if you can put in terms they’d understand, they will listen. Kids are naturally curious creatures, and money is definitely on those topics that can capure their interest. Don’t be afraid to try.
Got a favorite teachable moment with your kids?
All parents have them. I’d love to hear some of yours. Please share a favorite in the comments below!
Until next time!
Matt
As a fellow finance writer, I simply had to see which article you chose, and I was not disappointed. I’m currently thinking through how to teach my partner’s son about money and interest, and this is a great lesson! I’ve done a lot of work with kids in the past and I appreciate your notes about how to keep it kid friendly. With that said, I imagine reading this article has helped some adults better conceive of how interest works, too.