Mo

ney Matters: Let’s face it—most kids think money grows in wallets and comes out of the magic card you swipe at Target.

And when your 6-year-old asks why they can’t “just Venmo Santa,” it’s a pretty good sign we’ve got work to do.

But here’s the good news: teaching kids how to budget doesn’t have to feel like teaching them long division in the backseat of a moving minivan.

The trick? Tools that actually work for their age, brains, and attention span—plus some structure to make it stick.

Here is what on that portioned plate today:

• 🧠 The 3-Box Budget Method (Our Kid-Sized Framework)

• 🔨 The Best Budget Planners + Apps by Age

• 🕹️ Habits that Stick: Weekly Routines for Money Talk

• ✅ Summary Checklist You Can Start Today

• 🤷‍♀️ What’s up for next week

Let’s raise a generation of kids who don’t need to learn budgeting by overdrafting a bank account at 18.

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👀ICYMI

Last weeks issue: The Secret Economy Smart Families Use to Stay Ahead

📜Quote

“Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” — Warren Buffett

Today’s Main Event

📊 Kid-Friendly Budget Planners by Age

Learning as a child is clearly different than trying to learn as an adult. They require different ways to learn.

So lets jump into a breakdown of top rated tools that work for different stages of kid-hood - from sticker loving 5 years olds to middle schoolers trying to plan their first budget.

Ages 4–7: Early Money Movers

• Moonjar Moneybox
  What it is: A 3-part bank labeled Spend, Save, and Share.
  Why it works: It’s old school and tangible. Kids love physically putting money in slots.
  Cost: ~$20 - or you can have a fun craft day and create your own money boxes from items from the dollar store. Just keep the same labels as above but skip the $20 price tag

• Smart Start Allowance Chart
  What it is: A dry-erase chart that tracks chores and payouts. Typically people pay $1 per year of age and tie chores to it.
  Why it works: Visual cause/effect builds responsibility before money even lands in their hands.
  Cost: ~$15 - quick hack is to use your local printer or Office Depot to lamenate a home made calendar.

• Play Budgeting Kit by Lakeshore Learning
  What it is: A pretend store and wallet game for practicing budgeting in play.
  Why it works: Kids role-play real spending decisions.
  Cost: ~$30 - This can be also be done way cheaper with fake money from the dollar store and an imaginative game thought up at home. Kids love pretend play and they can be a rewarding experience.

Ages 8–12: Tween Budgeteers

These kids are ready for goal-setting, simple math, and maybe their first digital tools. They’re starting to see money beyond quarters.

• BusyKid Visa Debit Card
  What it is: A parent-managed debit card for chore-based income.
  Why it works: Kids allocate to Save/Spend/Donate and can see balances online.
  Cost: ~$4/month

• My First Budget Workbook (Clever Fox)
  What it is: A kid-friendly budgeting journal with prompts, trackers, and visuals.
  Why it works: Gives structure without being boring.
  Cost: ~$10 - this one is nice but you can also Google free budget worksheets for children and get a similar outcome

Ages 13–17: Budget-Ready Teens

Your teens are learning to earn, save for bigger goals, and maybe get that first part-time job. Let them test real-world tools with some built-in safeguards.

• Greenlight App
  What it is: A parent-controlled debit card with auto-split into Save/Spend/Invest.
  Why it works: Teens feel in control, but you’ve got training wheels on.
  Cost: $5/month

• YNAB (You Need A Budget) Teen Journal
  What it is: A printable or digital PDF for beginner budgeters.
  Why it works: Bridges the gap between real budgeting software and journal-based learning.
  Cost: Free trial available

• RoosterMoney App
  What it is: A budget tracker designed for kids and teens. Includes allowance management and savings goals.
  Why it works: Visual goals, chore tracking, and “virtual” piggy bank.
  Cost: Free with paid options

🧠 The 3-Box Budget Method: Budgeting for Little Brains with Big Dreams

This is the exact budgeting system we plan to use as the kids get older. It’s simple, visual, and teaches the three money essentials without sounding like a Dave Ramsey podcast.

Box 1: SAVE (50%)
This is for big, future-focused goals. Think LEGOs, bikes, or saving for summer camp. Kids draw their goal and color in a savings tracker.

Box 2: SPEND (40%)
This is their “you do you” fund. It teaches responsible spending (and sometimes how it feels to blow $10 on junk). Let them learn!

Box 3: SHARE (10%)
Teach generosity early. Whether it’s donating to an animal shelter or buying socks for a local charity, this part of the budget teaches values beyond cash.

👉 Pro Tip: Use 3 clear jars, pouches, or digital “buckets” depending on your kid’s age. Have them physically split their money after each allowance or gift.

🎯 How to Make It Stick: Weekly & Monthly Money Habits

Even the best planner won’t help if it ends up under the couch with stale Goldfish and last summer’s library book.

Here’s what’s worked for us (and dozens of other parents):

1. Weekly “Budget Date” With Your Kid (15 min)

Pick a time—Sunday morning pancakes, Saturday Starbucks run, whatever works.

Ask:

• “What are you saving for this week?”

• “Anything you’d like to donate to?”

• “What did you spend money on that you really loved?”

Keep it light, positive, and brag-worthy.

2. Set Micro Goals with Trackers

Create a simple visual tracker for savings goals. Fill it in together each week. It’s super motivating for younger kids and keeps older kids accountable.

Example: Want a $60 toy? Make a 6-block coloring chart—each $10 saved gets a block filled.

3. Automate the Routine

If your kid earns allowance through chores, automate payday (just like a real job). Set a reminder to split the allowance every week using your 3-box system or app automation.

Use language like: “Great job helping out this week! Want to split up your cash now?”

Make payday feel rewarding and predictable, just like real life.

✅ Budget Teaching Checklist

Here’s a quick checklist you can screenshot, print, or stick to the fridge:

Weekly Budget Routine

✔️ Assign allowance (based on chores or age)
✔️ Divide money into Save / Spend / Share
✔️ Track savings progress visually
✔️ Talk through a money choice they made this week

Monthly Deep Dives

✔️ Pick a new savings goal
✔️ Revisit planner or app settings
✔️ Add a “Giving Day” to their calendar
✔️ Let them budget for a family treat (ice cream, mini golf, etc.)

Tools Setup

✔️ Choose 3-jar system or age-appropriate app
✔️ Download printable tracker or buy a workbook
✔️ Create a kid login on budgeting apps (if digital)
✔️ Pick a set day/time for your money dates

📚 Sources & References

• Consumer Financial Protection Bureau: Building blocks of youth financial capability

• Greenlight App – Debit card for kids

• BusyKid Visa Card

• RoosterMoney

• Clever Fox Budget Books

• Lakeshore Learning: Money Games

• National Endowment for Financial Education: Youth Financial Education Resources

• YNAB for Teens – Teaching Budget Basics

Until Next Time

What’s Up Next Week

That about wraps it up for this week!

Next week Jimmy is diving into “Protecting your family budget from Tariff driven inflation”!

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And as always

Peace Out Hootsquad
-Nico

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.