Money-Smart Monday

with John Lanza

Hello, friends,

I have something fun for you this week—a conversation that genuinely stuck with me after I hit “stop” on the recording. I chatted with Karen Holland, the founder of Gifting Sense, and I think you’re really going to enjoy her perspective on helping kids actually spend smarter.

You probably know The Money Mammals’ mantra by heart—“We’ll Share & Save & Spend Smart Too!” Karen’s work fits right into that last piece. So if you have tweens or teens, her method is right on target. It gives them the practical tools they need to make smarter spending decisions in the wild, when they’re outside your home and your guidance.

And the best part? It’s simple.

Does this purchase make sense?

Karen created what she calls the DIMS SCORE®—short for “Does It Make Sense?” It’s essentially a quick, thoughtful check-in kids can use before buying something.

No drama. No lectures. Just a handful of questions that help kids reflect on whether a purchase is actually a good idea. Karen describes this approach as a win-win-win-win—and she explains why here.

Karen also discusses how this process helps reduce family conflict over spending. If you’ve ever been cornered in Target by a child clutching something sparkly, you know why that matters.

The broader idea is this: When kids learn to pause and think before buying, they’re building a lifelong habit. One that supports what we call means-living—one of the three essential habits​—spending within your means in a way that aligns with your values.

This isn’t pie-in-the-sky financial philosophy. It’s practical. It works. And it grows with kids.

Thinking before buying is a life-changing habit.

Karen shared a comparison I loved: Thinking before buying is like brushing your teeth—a tiny habit that permanently improves your well-being.

And she’s right. No one celebrates brushing their teeth, but the cumulative effect is enormous. Same idea here: Small moments of mindful decision making build up over time.

What I also love about Karen’s program is how accessible it is. You can even book her to run a Zoom workshop for your kids’ school or youth group. She makes smart spending engaging, funny and very real for kids.

And don’t worry—thinking before buying doesn’t mean you never get to buy fun things. Instead, it means you use money intentionally as a tool.

Diderot is coming for your wallet!

During our conversation, Karen and I talked about something we’ve both witnessed (as parents and as humans): Buying one nice thing can spiral into wanting to upgrade everything around it.

Get a new couch … suddenly the rug looks shabby. Buy cool sneakers … and the rest of your closet looks “meh.”

This is the Diderot Effect—something I’ve written about here​—and Karen’s program helps kids recognize it before it empties their wallets. It’s a powerful bit of awareness to gift your kids—and one for which you might find echoes in your own life, too.

More ideas I found interesting

🤢 How did everything get so ugly?​ What does mundane design say about society?

✈️ Why do we really have to show up so early for our flights?

🎥 Wes Anderson’s The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar​ shows us that gambling can do extraordinary things.

Until next week, enjoy the journey!

John,
Your Chief Mammal

A quick programming note: This week marks my last newly recorded podcast episode for a bit. I’m taking a short hiatus to rethink and refresh the show. The good news? The conversations are evergreen. So if you’re catching up or diving in for the first time, the archives are full of gems. And I’ll continue sharing insights here in MSM—perhaps not exactly weekly, but regularly enough to keep us all moving toward raising money-smart, money-empowered kids.

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