Money-Smart Monday

with John Lanza

Hello, friends,

Most of us understand the importance of helping kids learn about money early. That awareness is progress.

Kids need real experiences with saving, spending, sharing, earning and making choices. But after years of working in this space, I’m increasingly convinced that kids don’t build money-smart habits through lessons alone.

They build them at home.

They build them when they ask for something at Target. When they get their first allowance. When they save for a toy. When they spend all their money and regret it. When they open their first account, get a debit card, earn their first paycheck or start wanting more independence.

Those moments shape behavior. And parents are usually the ones standing there, trying to figure out what to say and what to do.

That’s why you haven’t heard from me as much lately. I’ve been focused on improving the parent experience inside The Money Mammals powered by The Art of Allowance. The goal is simple: support families not only with kid-friendly content but also with practical, age-by-age guidance parents can actually use.

The opportunity is bigger than teaching kids to save. It’s helping parents raise money-smart kids from first allowance to first debit card and beyond.

For our credit union partners, this programming matters because families need advice. Parents are overwhelmed. Plus kids are growing up in a financial world that is more digital, more frictionless and more confusing than the one many of us remember.

Credit unions are well-positioned to help. Not by inundating families with more information, but by giving parents simple, timely guidance when money habits are actually being formed.

That’s the layer we’re building.

So whether you’re a parent or a credit union leader, reply to this email if you’d like exclusive access to explore the new parent portal.

(If you’re wondering why Money-Smart Monday arrived on a Tuesday, I didn’t want to disturb your Memorial Day Weekend. I hope it was a meaningful one.)

And, as always, don’t forget to enjoy the journey.

John,
Your Chief Mammal

📗 Get The Art of Allowance (my book for parents)
📚 Get the “Share & Save & Spend Smart” series (my books for kids)
🫱🏻‍🫲🏽 Become a partner or book me to speak (our programs for businesses)

P.S. Please consult with a financial or investment professional before making any decisions that might affect your financial well-being.

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