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It’s Important to Teach Kids to Save Money!

by Team Sammy

Kids make saving frames at Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA

Kids make saving frames at Weingart East Los Angeles YMCA

Save Money. Make it a Habit!

Save money. Make it a habit.

Build a child's financial literacy and capability. Help them develop the habits, skills and capabilities so they can create a bright future for themselves.

Teaching kids to save money is not always easy. But it is crucial!

It is especially crucial for parents who want their children to have and experience more financial security and freedom in their lives.

Money habits matter. 

What you may not know is they start early - real early - and are practically set in stone for life at around age 8 according to research from Cambridge University.

To discover more about the power of kids money habits, we strongly recommend Sammy Rabbit fans to check out CFP® and mom Abby Kovach’s article: The Power of Starting the Right Money Habits Early

In it Abby shares:

(1) Why our storybook Sammy's Big Dream is an important and effective resource for teaching kids about money, especially the habit of saving money; and

(2) How the storybook encourages kids to develop positive cue-routine-reward loops as described in author Charles DuHigg's best-selling book, The Power of Habit!

Snippets from Kovach's Review

"According to Duhigg’s review of the research, an interesting thing happens as a new habit solidifies. The brain begins to anticipate the reward, and when the cue comes, we can feel an almost overwhelming craving. This craving propels us to perform our routine in (often unconscious) anticipation of the reward... I have a strong suspicion that saving may very well be what Duhigg refers to as a “keystone habit”... By starting very small and building on one success after another, kids learn that their actions make a difference and they can be agents of change in their own lives and the lives of others..."

Kovach's review of Sammy's Big Dream reminds us of the T.T. Munger quote which we wholeheartedly and enthusiastically champion:

“The habit of saving is itself an education; if fosters every virtue, teaches self-denial, cultivates the sense of order, trains to forethought, and so broadens the mind.”

The Right Money Habits Mean Everything!

From day one, 2001, Sammy Rabbit has believed teaching kids the right habits is the key to their having a successful lifelong relationship with money.

Sammy’s mantra – “Saving is a great habit!” You will find it in his storybooks, songs, activity books, and all his resources.

Here are four reasons why the right money habits mean everything.

One, habits don’t discriminate.

That is one of their intrinsic powers. Habits are not concerned with a person’s race, creed, color, gender, politics or income. The produce similar results for everyone. 

Two, habits have predictable outcomes.

This is a second key benefit. If you get in the habit of saving and investing, you have money. If you get in the habit of reading, your knowledge grows. If you get in the habit of exercising, your health improves. 

Three, habits become automatic.

Habits shape and define a person. They become patterns and routines one does not have to think about. They conserve energy. They save time. Those are big advantages.

And, four, the right habits, money included, can transform, empower and create lives of excellence!

Aristotle is quoted as saying, “excellence isn’t an act, it’s a habit!”

We agree.

In our opinion, learning to save money and making it a habit, is by far the single most important personal finance concept a parent can teach and instill in within their child.

Why? The payoffs are enormous and transcend building financial freedom and security. Making saving a habit teaches a child to delay gratification, be disciplined, be prepared, set goals and more. It also elevates a child's confidence and esteem. 

Are Kovach’s Review and Sammy on Target?

Is Kovach alone in her assessment of Sammy? Does Sammy have the right message? Is he on target? Is he effective? How important is it to teach kids to save money and make it a habit?

Here are what a couple of other experts have shared about Sammy and his get in the habit message.

Nick Bradfield, Father, Entrepreneur and Marine Vet

See Nick’s review of Sammy on Centsai. Nick shares there:

“I read (my son) Chance a Sammy story and played some of Sammy’s music for him. Chance immediately loved the rabbit. Likability is one of the character’s strengths. Chance picked up on Sammy’s core message, “Saving is a great habit.” That led to more discussions and lessons about money almost everywhere we were, even the grocery store. Those talks motivated me as well.”

Sheryl Garrett, Founder of the Garrett Planning Network

Here is what Sheryl shared in Financial Advisor Magazine:

“This is the same thing we talk to adults about, except we use the big words. The story of Sammy Rabbit’s journey to accomplishing his big dream, coincides with my belief that (financial) advisors should prompt adult clients to think about what they really want, too.”

Sammy and Financial Literacy

Sammy believes financial literacy is one of the defining issues of our time. It is one of the most significant components in determining whether or not the current generation of children will lead lives of debt or become owners of homes, small businesses and other assets like stocks that lead to financial wellness and well-being.

Sammy’s aim is to make it easy for parents, teachers, and community leaders to talk to and teach children about money so kids develop the necessary habits and life skills to become self-sufficient and have bright futures. It all begins with teaching children to save money.

Click here to order Sammy’s Big Dream.

Click here to make co-branded Sammy Rabbit financial education resources available to parents, teachers, schools and community organizations in your network.

Author Picture
About

Abby Kovach, CFP®

Abby Kovach, CFP® founded Abby Kovach Financial Planning, LLC in 2010, in Denver, as an extension of her personal passion for financial planning. At the time, Abby wanted to change careers and wondered where to turn for a second opinion on finances.

Through the process, Abby perceived a need for financial planning that would go beyond investment advice to help clients with decision-making in all aspects of their financial lives.

Abby is a CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ professional and a member of the Garrett Planning Network. She also belongs to the Financial Planning Association.

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If you have questions, suggestions or would like learn more about Sammy Rabbit and his mission to teach kids great money habits and other important life skills, contact us!

CLICK to contact Sammy via our website contact form;

or email us at: contact@SammyRabbit.com

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