Photo by micheile henderson on Unsplash
When Muriuki first decided to teach his children about money, it wasn’t because they were spending too much—it was because they didn’t understand its value at all. They knew how to ask for things, but not how to weigh options, budget, or plan. So he introduced a simple system: each child would receive a small weekly allowance, and they would have to split it into three parts—spending, saving, and giving.
At first, it was just a fun exercise. But over time, the children began to take it seriously. They started comparing prices when shopping, avoided impulse buys, and even began asking questions like, “Should we save for something bigger instead?”
The real surprise came on their younger sister’s birthday. Without any prompting, the older two pooled their “giving” money and bought her a thoughtful, inexpensive gift. Not only that, but they proudly showed Muriuki their small but growing “rainy day” savings jar—money they were keeping aside just in case.
Muriuki was stunned—not just at the gesture, but at the mindset. His children weren’t just spending less; they were thinking more.
Have you introduced financial literacy to your children? What strategies have worked (or failed)? And how early should we begin teaching money values in a world where digital transactions are replacing coins and notes? Let’s exchange ideas 