Today's Podcast Featuring Author and Financial Educator Lionel Shipman
We just finished a Sammyriffic podcast with financial literacy champion and educator Lionel Shipman as part of our Childhood Money Memories series!
Watch the podcast above and below explore 16 “Gold Karat” takeaways from the show to help you teach kids and students about money!
About Lionel Shipman
Lionel Shipman is a seasoned financial leader with over 20 years of experience in banking, financial services, and financial literacy empowerment. He currently serves as a Business Portfolio Manager with Grow Financial Federal Credit Union in Tampa Bay, Florida.
He is the author of Money Responsibly and Sacred Vows: The Knot or Not. Lionel previously hosted The Lionel Shipman $hape Your Finances Show on CWR Talk Radio and now hosts a program on Spondulics, a financial education streaming platform available on Roku TV, Amazon Fire, and Apple TV.
A passionate advocate for youth financial literacy, Lionel teaches personal finance to students across the U.S., Africa, and India, including through the popular online learning platform OutSchool.
Lionel is married with two grown daughters and remains deeply committed to empowering families and young people to build strong money foundations for life.
16 Sammyriffic "Gold Karat" Takeaways from Lionel Shipman
1️⃣ Childhood Confidence — Just Ask!
As a kid, Lionel was never shy about asking for things. His thinking: if you ask and hear “no,” you haven’t lost anything.
2️⃣ First Money Lesson — Earn It!
One day, Lionel asked his mom for money to play video games at the local store. Instead of handing him cash, she offered him a job — at Piggly Wiggly, where she was head cashier.
Her message: If you want money, you’re going to work for it!
3️⃣ First Job — Real-World Experience
The store manager agreed to let Lionel help. His job? Collect empty shipping boxes, load them onto carts, and haul them to the back of the store for compacting.
They wouldn’t let him price items or run the compactor — but it was his first official work experience!
4️⃣ Money Doesn’t Grow on Trees
Lionel's mom often told him, "money doesn’t grow on trees." That first workday made the meaning clear — earning money takes effort!
5️⃣ Work Ethic Pays Off — Even in College
Lionel’s early work ethic stayed with him. He got a job at Piggly Wiggly in college to help cover his expenses.
6️⃣ Bonus Lessons from Mom and Dad
In addition to working hard, Lionel’s parents taught him to spend responsibly. His dad famously said, “Don’t live a champagne life on a beer budget.” His mom reinforced, “You can’t spend more than you earn.”
7️⃣ No Piggy Bank? No Problem!
Lionel laughs remembering that as a kid, he kept money in his pocket instead of a piggy bank. But as an adult, he saves his spare change in a pan on his dresser — his “handy dandy” coin jar. His wife sorts it, and they save $200–$300 a year this way — perfect for holiday expenses!
8️⃣ Starting Young with His Own Kids
With his background in banking and finance, Lionel and his wife prioritized teaching their daughters about money early — around ages 5 or 6.
9️⃣ ATM Piggy Bank — A Game Changer
They used an ATM-style piggy bank to make learning fun and practical, teaching their kids to divide money for spending, giving, and saving — a solid foundation for lifelong money management.
🔟 Financial Stewardship is a Family Value
The Shipmans emphasized responsible money habits, planning, and covering household needs — building both knowledge and values in their children.
1️⃣1️⃣ High School Budgeting Practice
As teens, Lionel’s daughters created monthly written budgets, which the family reviewed together — an excellent real-life money lesson.
1️⃣2️⃣ Top Money Habit? Giving!
If Lionel could teach only one money habit, it would be giving — dollars, time, or resources.
He says being generous has always brought rewards. His daughter has even founded a nonprofit, The Hands That Give, which empowers youth to serve their communities.
1️⃣3️⃣ Financial Education Belongs in Schools
Lionel is a strong advocate for mandatory personal finance education in high school — and believes the learning should start as early as elementary school.
He applauds Florida’s recent law requiring a personal finance course for high school graduation.
1️⃣4️⃣ Money Skills = Life Skills
Money management is a skill everyone needs for life — and the earlier we teach it, the better.
1️⃣5️⃣ Parenting Tip — Be Consistent
Lionel’s advice to parents: Be consistent when teaching your kids about money. Repetition and steady guidance make a difference.
1️⃣6️⃣ Teen Tip — Start Budgeting Now!
To teens, Lionel says: Want to impress your parents? Start creating your own budget today.
Growing up, Lionel jokes he didn’t have a “hole in his pocket” like some people — but his family’s rule was clear: Spend wisely, save consistently, and never spend it all in one place.
Final Thoughts
Lionel Shipman’s money memories, family experiences, and professional wisdom remind us that teaching kids about money — early and often — builds brighter futures.
Watch, listen, and share Lionel’s interview and this blog!
Discover more about Lionel Shipman on LinkedIn: Lionel Shipman or visit his website: ShipmanConsulting.com
Thank you Lionel!!!
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