What my son taught me about money (without saying a word)
Teaching your kid to drive is an experience.
One part patience. One part sheer terror. And a whole lot of deep breathing.
One day, my son rolled right through a stop sign. I hit the imaginary brake.
He looked at me and said:
"That’s what you do, Dad."
Oof. He got me.
Turns out, he had been paying attention—not to what I said but to what I did.
And that’s when it hit me. This isn’t just about driving. It’s about money too.
Here's the truth:
More is caught than taught. Kids don’t learn from lectures. They learn from watching.
If they see you impulse spend, avoid investing, or ignore budgeting? They will too.
There is power in sharing your money mistakes.
Ever notice how kids tune out advice?
But if you tell them about a dumb financial mistake you made? Suddenly, they’re all ears.
Because now, you’re real. You’re human. And you’re someone they can actually relate to.
Honest conversations build trust.
The best way to teach kids about money? Show them your wins and your losses.
When they see you own your mistakes, they’re more likely to come to you when they face their own big financial decisions.
But here's the good news…
Let knowing that your kids are watching you help you make better money moves.
For example, if I need to call the phone or cable company with a billing problem, I’ve learned to make the call where my kids can hear me.
Why? Because I know I’ll be on my best behavior when they’re listening.
And let’s be honest—customer service calls can be frustrating.
But because my kids are watching, I try harder not to get upset. I remind myself to treat the person kindly, even when I feel like yelling about an overcharge.
It’s a weird life hack, but it works. They see patience and problem-solving in action. And I avoid saying something I’d regret later.
So…
Check your own habits. Your kids are already learning from you.
Make money talks normal. Share your wins and losses.
Be real. Kids respect honesty more than perfection.
To your success,
Derrick
