Money. The thing we all pretend not to talk about in front of the kids, right up until they ask why we can't just "buy another house" because this one's messy.
Truth is, the world of finance has moved on a bit since I was a kid. We're not just talking piggy banks and pocket money anymore—we're talking prepaid debit cards, Junior ISAs, and the odd side hustle that doesn't involve mowing someone's lawn into oblivion.
So here's how I'm teaching my kids about money—without boring them to tears—and how we're all (sort of) learning together while squeezing a bit of cash out of the system.
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A Quick Note on the Financial Chaos We've Inherited
Back in my day (which apparently now counts as the olden days), cash was king. I earned my pocket money washing cars and sweeping drives for neighbours who'd just shout "aye, do the back while you're at it" and hand you a coin that smelled like soil.
Now? It's all tap, swipe, subscribe. Half the time my kids think money just lives inside your phone.
So I've taken it on myself—as a dad, a digital hustler, and someone who once accidentally taught a 9-year-old how cashback apps work—to give my kids a financial education they won't get in school.
The Side Hustle Life (With Child Labour… Kinda)
Gone are the days when kids could earn a tenner cutting grass. These days, the lawns are fake, and the owners are very attached to their Teslas.
Instead, I'm introducing my lot to the weird and wonderful world of car boot sales. It's retro, it's chaotic, and it teaches the valuable life lesson of how to haggle without crying. (Me, not them.)
We've also dipped our toes into bank switching bonuses, surveys, and free money offers—although I've parked the idea of teaching my youngest how to churn current accounts. I've got some morals left.
Gamified Banking: Because a Budgeting Spreadsheet Won't Cut It
Kids don't care about interest rates. They care about whether they can buy a £3.50 tub of slime and a chocolate bar in one go (or whether a lemonade-stand can make them millionaires).
So we've started using prepaid cards like GoHenry and HyperJar, which let them manage their spending (and let me keep an eye on who's definitely the one sneakily over-spending at the cornershop again).
The idea is simple: earn a bit, spend a bit, save a bit. And maybe buy something daft with it because, y'know, childhood.
Junior ISAs: Investing in the Future (Literally)
Here's a controversial one—we give our kids a choice on birthdays and Christmas:
- Take the money and run (to Smyths).
- Or stash it away in a Junior ISA and watch it grow until they're 18.
Surprisingly, they usually split it—about half goes into their ISA, the other half vanishes into Roblox skins and mystery eggs.
We talk about compound interest (with chocolate buttons as visual aids), but we don't push it. I'd rather they learn to make decisions than feel forced into being mini investment bankers.
If you're not clued up on Junior ISAs, they're a decent way to save tax-free. You can put in up to £9,000 a year. We don't hit that, but we do chuck in a bit each month on top of their own contributions.
Online Learning (But Make It Optional)
I'd love to say my kids watch financial literacy videos for fun, but they're not that nerdy. (Yet.)
We occasionally pop on a YouTube video that explains the basics of saving, investing, or even how not to get rinsed by Klarna. But we make it optional—it's more "hey, this might help" than "sit down and revise like it's GCSE week".
Honestly, if school covered this stuff properly, I wouldn't have to explain what council tax is while elbow-deep in baked beans at Lidl.
Lidl Bakery Economics
Speaking of Lidl—our secret weapon in the bi-weekly shop is the free bakery treat coupon. The kids help pack the trolley, and in return, they get to choose a pastry.
It's cheap, cheerful, and if nothing else, teaches the principle of earning a reward through effort.
(Top tip: Lidl's system applies the discount to the cheapest bakery item, so grab the good stuff separately on self-checkout. Financial hacks for days.)
It's About Balance, Not Perfection
There's no "perfect" approach to teaching kids about money. Some weeks we smash it, others we forget who owes what from the GoHenry app and end up bribing them with lollies.
But that's the point—it's progress over perfection. If you're showing your kids how money works (and ideally, not having them learn the hard way at 18 with an emergency Wonga loan), you're doing a good job.
And if you make a bit on the side while you're at it? Even better.
Got Any Dad Hacks for Teaching Kids About Cash?
Drop a comment or message—I'm always up for stealing borrowing ideas from other parents.
