💡 The Hidden Money Messages We’re Teaching Our Kids (Without Even Realising!)
Teaching kids about money isn’t just about giving them pocket money or opening a savings account. In fact, most of their money habits come from watching us—how we spend, save, and talk about money.
Every time we tap our cards, compare prices, or complain about rising costs, our kids are quietly absorbing lifelong money lessons. But are we teaching the right ones?
Let’s unpack some hidden money messages we might be passing down—and how to flip them into positive lessons!
“It’s Too Expensive” → ✅ “Let’s Look at the Value”
We often say “It’s too expensive” as a mental shortcut—but what are we really deciding?
Price and value aren’t always the same. Something cheap isn’t always a good buy, and something expensive isn’t necessarily a waste. But if we always dismiss things as “not worth it” without explanation, kids may learn to judge everything by price alone instead of considering its true value.
Instead, we can say:
“That’s pricey, but let’s think about whether it’s really worth it.”
“If this is important to us, how can we afford it?”
This encourages kids to think beyond just the cost and focus on value for money.
“We Can’t Afford That” → ✅ “Let’s Plan for It”
Saying “We can’t afford that” might make kids feel like money is always a struggle. Instead, try:
“That’s not in our budget now, but we can save for it.”
This teaches kids that financial limits don’t mean ‘never’—just ‘not yet’. It also encourages planning and patience, instead of thinking money is only about what we can’t have.
“Better Buy It Before It’s Gone!” → ✅ “Do We Really Need It?”
Ever grabbed something just because got promo or limited edition? Kids watching this might develop an “I must buy now!” mindset—aka FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) spending.
Instead, before rushing to checkout, ask:
“Do we really need this, or do we just want it?”
Teaching kids to pause and think before spending helps them develop a habit of mindful purchases.
“I’ll Just Put It on My Card” → ✅ “Let’s See If It Fits the Budget”
With cashless payments, kids don’t see physical money leaving our hands. To them, tapping a card might feel like free money. 😬
Instead of just swiping, explain:
“Even when we use a card, we still have to pay for it later.”
“Let’s check if this fits our budget first.”
This helps kids understand credit = borrowed money and reinforces the importance of budgeting.
“Don’t Talk About Money” → ✅ “Let’s Make It a Family Thing”
In many Asian households, money is a hush-hush topic. But if we never talk about it, kids won’t know how to manage it later on.
Start small:
Let them help budget for groceries
Plan a birthday party within a set amount
Ask them to save up for a toy they want
This makes money a normal, healthy topic, instead of something taboo.
Turning Hidden Money Messages into Positive Lessons
✅ Use Real-Life Situations – Let kids see you saving, budgeting, and making smart choices.
✅ Talk About It – Explain why you pick one item over another or why you’re skipping a purchase.
✅ Give Hands-On Experience – Let kids handle small amounts of money, save up for goals, and even make (safe) spending mistakes to learn from.
Our kids will eventually form their own money habits—so let’s make sure we’re guiding them in the right direction. After all, financial literacy starts at home, and the best lessons? They’re the ones we teach without even realising it.
