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Teach a Kid to Save: A Fun, Hands-On Approach to Building Smart Money Habits
Some of the toughest choices we make in adult life are about money. If we feel ill-equipped to handle our own finances, how can we teach our children to earn, save, and spend wisely?
Teach a Kid to Save is your go-to, hands-on guide to teaching your kids important concepts surrounding the wise use of money and helping them practice managing money through an innovative, interactive mini-economy. In the mini-economy, your kids have jobs, earn a play-money income, make a plan for their money, shop at the household store, and even create their own businesses! The mini-economy makes learning about money fun and memorable, helping your kids create healthy lifelong habits that will serve them well.
With chapters on work, rest, generosity, saving, spending, and entrepreneurship, as well as a quick-start guide, templates, visual aids, resources for parents (to get money conversations started), a special appendix for homeschools, and research on teaching kids about money, Teach a Kid to Save is the all-in-one resource you've been waiting for.
Teach a Kid to Save is your go-to, hands-on guide to teaching your kids important concepts surrounding the wise use of money and helping them practice managing money through an innovative, interactive mini-economy. In the mini-economy, your kids have jobs, earn a play-money income, make a plan for their money, shop at the household store, and even create their own businesses! The mini-economy makes learning about money fun and memorable, helping your kids create healthy lifelong habits that will serve them well.
With chapters on work, rest, generosity, saving, spending, and entrepreneurship, as well as a quick-start guide, templates, visual aids, resources for parents (to get money conversations started), a special appendix for homeschools, and research on teaching kids about money, Teach a Kid to Save is the all-in-one resource you've been waiting for.
208 pages, Paperback
Published January 13, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews
January 25, 2026
Fun ideas to teach kids about money!
January 14, 2026
I adore this idea, the book is a very good place to start for teaching kids about money (and taxes) in a fun, creative and understandable way.
It seems like a lot of work, but I am considering doing this with my little ones and I feel they would enjoy it and certainly benefit in the long run.
It seems like a lot of work, but I am considering doing this with my little ones and I feel they would enjoy it and certainly benefit in the long run.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This audiobook focuses on money habits and turning values into everyday choices. I really liked the emphasis on teaching kids the difference between needs and wants, while also reinforcing that it’s okay to indulge once in a while when it’s planned and intentional.
The book encourages parents not to bribe kids to do chores, but instead set clear expectations and be consistent. Some responsibilities are simply part of helping the household, while others allow kids to earn money for treats or store visits through a mini economy system that includes saving, sharing, donating, taxes, and even debt.
Overall, it’s a thoughtful and practical listen for parents who want to help their kids build financial capability, impulse control, and healthy money habits that last over time.
***Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.***
The book encourages parents not to bribe kids to do chores, but instead set clear expectations and be consistent. Some responsibilities are simply part of helping the household, while others allow kids to earn money for treats or store visits through a mini economy system that includes saving, sharing, donating, taxes, and even debt.
Overall, it’s a thoughtful and practical listen for parents who want to help their kids build financial capability, impulse control, and healthy money habits that last over time.
***Thank you to NetGalley for providing this ARC in exchange for my honest review.***
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Teach a Kid to Save is a fantastic book for parents, teachers, homeschool-coops, and more wanting practical ways in which they can teach the invaluable lessons of money and the economy to young kids. Narrator Brandon Pollock kept the pace of the book understandable at any speed you choose to listen to while at work, commuting, or on a walk. I loved the step-by-step reading style that the author provided for how to create a mini home economy, giving many personal examples, and many ways to curate this teaching style to your family values and learning levels. While I loved the quick listen of this audiobook I will definitely purchase the physical copy to refer back to the reflection questions for kids and parents. The questions throughout the book about money are perfect for a family car ride or for dinner time conversations to spark new conversations about money. This book really opened my eyes about how simple and easy teaching your young children can be, as complex as the topic can feel. A perfect resource for families, teachers, homeschool-coops, and more!
February 2, 2026
thank you Netgalley for the ARC!
Definitely liked the concept of the book. it's my first book on the money topic and I gained a lot of ideas. I will definitely incorporate some of the basics of this principle when my children are old enough.
I'm still a little bit sceptical about the whole approach. The story gives a few questions you could have about this approach and states that the answers will be research based. I didn't hear a lot of research confirming the answers. the book also focuses a lot on the positive aspect and very little on problems that you may encounter such as kids who are not willing to cooperate.
Definitely liked the concept of the book. it's my first book on the money topic and I gained a lot of ideas. I will definitely incorporate some of the basics of this principle when my children are old enough.
I'm still a little bit sceptical about the whole approach. The story gives a few questions you could have about this approach and states that the answers will be research based. I didn't hear a lot of research confirming the answers. the book also focuses a lot on the positive aspect and very little on problems that you may encounter such as kids who are not willing to cooperate.
January 12, 2026
As a homeschool mom of three, I am so excited to have this book in my toolkit. I can tell it will be a resource I reach for again and again for hep teaching our kids good financial habits. Before being introduced to the idea of the mini-economy, I assumed you had to wait until your kids were teens with regular jobs to teach them about handling money. In a readable, non-intimidating manner, Day shows that there are myriad opportunities (and reasons!) to shape kids’ financial knowledge and habits much much earlier—and it provides the framework and practical steps parents need to do that. Our family is already beginning to rework the way we handle chores with lessons from this book, and I know we will return to it again and again for more tips and guidance as our kids grow.
January 9, 2026
I loved the idea of creating a mini economy at home to help kids understand how money comes and goes. Even if you don’t follow the entire system in the book, there are so many practical and helpful takeaways you can use to start meaningful conversations about money and financial responsibility with your kids.
February 2, 2026
love this idea. planning on starting our mini-economy for homeschool ASAP and will probably be buying a personal copy for all the questions to ask your kids.
(4 stars because it's very repetitive and some concepts are way over-explained while others are not explained enough)
(4 stars because it's very repetitive and some concepts are way over-explained while others are not explained enough)
January 11, 2026
Full Review at www.NerdyNerdyBookBook.com
January 14, 2026
Excellent book for parents - not only a "why" kind of book, but also a practical "how to." Day writes with expertise not only as an Economics professor, but as a dad. What sets apart this book is the “mini economy” framework. This is a way for families to create a small, functioning economy at home where your kids will have the opportunity to earn, plan, spend, save, and give. Take out the abstract parent lectures and give them hands on, real life learning opportunities that they will actually enjoy. Even if you don’t want to follow the framework, this book is packed full of helpful takeaways and practical advice as you navigate financial responsibility with your kids. I loved how he started the book out with a quick start guide - this gives you a vision for why you will continue to read and also a way to quickly access the information once you are done reading.
January 14, 2026
Teach a Kid to Save is a quick and fun read full of great nuggets of knowledge to help implement a plan for your kids to grow their financial literacy. I love the idea of a mini economy. I really wish I read this book when my children were little - but I am so glad I read it now. I learned how to teach financial skills to older kids and teenagers. I feel like if you use the tools in the book you will set your kids up on the path to success. This book teaches value by making meaningful choices and I feel empowered after reading it. This is the first book I’ve read by Stephen Day and I look forward to reading more. I listened to the audiobook and the narrator did a great job. 💴
I would like to thank RBmedia and NetGalley for giving me an ALC (which did not sway my opinions or review).
I would like to thank RBmedia and NetGalley for giving me an ALC (which did not sway my opinions or review).
April 8, 2026
If you are interested in setting up a mini household economy in your house with your children, this is the book for you. If you are not interested in creating self, sustaining currency and economy I’m glad you’re home., you might want to pass.
I picked up this book interested in finding some helpful tips and tricks to help my children learn to save, but I found it was only focussed on the creation of the mini household economy which since I have 15 and then 11-year-old, I thought move a bit past that point of usefulness. Enjoying all of nation beyond household economy, and another interesting point is that has a bit of a religious bent to be writing.
Admiration of the book itself was enough to listen to, and they were points of storytelling that came off quite charismatic from narrator Brandon Pullock, who has attempted to be a friend of the author. Even though I was not interested in creating an economy within my own home, I continue to be listening to the book because it was not that long and narration was entertaining enough.
I picked up this book interested in finding some helpful tips and tricks to help my children learn to save, but I found it was only focussed on the creation of the mini household economy which since I have 15 and then 11-year-old, I thought move a bit past that point of usefulness. Enjoying all of nation beyond household economy, and another interesting point is that has a bit of a religious bent to be writing.
Admiration of the book itself was enough to listen to, and they were points of storytelling that came off quite charismatic from narrator Brandon Pullock, who has attempted to be a friend of the author. Even though I was not interested in creating an economy within my own home, I continue to be listening to the book because it was not that long and narration was entertaining enough.
January 13, 2026
Highly recommend! The mini economy concept provides my kids with a framework to understand basic economics… Obviously this is helping them develop toward mature adulthood, but in the meantime it’s brought peace during our trips to Target:
When we walk through the toy aisle they’re not seeing the dilemma as “us vs. mom’s mood,” but rather the reality of the way money works — Teaching my kids about economic principles at home gives me the space to say, “Oh man, that does look like an awesome toy! Let’s see how much you’ll need to earn to buy it.” I now can join them in that tension of wanting things (an innate desire that transcends age) in a world that is bound by the constrains of a monetary system.
When we walk through the toy aisle they’re not seeing the dilemma as “us vs. mom’s mood,” but rather the reality of the way money works — Teaching my kids about economic principles at home gives me the space to say, “Oh man, that does look like an awesome toy! Let’s see how much you’ll need to earn to buy it.” I now can join them in that tension of wanting things (an innate desire that transcends age) in a world that is bound by the constrains of a monetary system.
Review of advance copy received from Author
As an economics educator and parent, I found Teach a Kid to Save to be one of the most practical and thoughtfully designed resources I’ve read on teaching children about money.
What sets this book apart is its mini-economy framework. Rather than relying on lectures or abstract advice, Dr. Day gives families a way to create a small, functioning economy at home where his kids work, earn, plan, spend, save, give, and even experiment with entrepreneurship. The approach treats children as capable decision-makers and gives them repeated, low-stakes opportunities to practice economic thinking in real life; while also developing money vocabulary they will use for the rest of their lives.
The book strikes a solid balance between research and application. The ideas are grounded in economics and psychology, yet the tone is accessible and encouraging. The chapters on work, rest, generosity, saving, and spending are especially strong, and the included templates, conversation starters, and “Think and Teach” questions make it easy to implement without feeling overwhelming. Great dinner-time conversation starters in the chapter reviews!
Reading this sparked immediate ideas for adjustments to our own household routines, which is the best compliment I can give a book like this. It’s useful for parents, homeschool families, and educators alike, and it respects both kids’ capacity to learn and adults’ desire for clear, workable guidance.
If you care about helping young people develop agency, responsibility, and healthy financial habits, this book is well worth your time.
What sets this book apart is its mini-economy framework. Rather than relying on lectures or abstract advice, Dr. Day gives families a way to create a small, functioning economy at home where his kids work, earn, plan, spend, save, give, and even experiment with entrepreneurship. The approach treats children as capable decision-makers and gives them repeated, low-stakes opportunities to practice economic thinking in real life; while also developing money vocabulary they will use for the rest of their lives.
The book strikes a solid balance between research and application. The ideas are grounded in economics and psychology, yet the tone is accessible and encouraging. The chapters on work, rest, generosity, saving, and spending are especially strong, and the included templates, conversation starters, and “Think and Teach” questions make it easy to implement without feeling overwhelming. Great dinner-time conversation starters in the chapter reviews!
Reading this sparked immediate ideas for adjustments to our own household routines, which is the best compliment I can give a book like this. It’s useful for parents, homeschool families, and educators alike, and it respects both kids’ capacity to learn and adults’ desire for clear, workable guidance.
If you care about helping young people develop agency, responsibility, and healthy financial habits, this book is well worth your time.
January 18, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley/Edelweiss and RB Media for the digital copy of this book; I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As someone who grew up with no one teaching me how to handle money, save for a Consumer Literacy class in high school that taught me how to write a check, I made sure I took a different approach with my kids. Now that they’re nearly grown up, some of them still need some help. I wondered if Teach a Kid to Save would be helpful.
This book is designed to teach young kids how to handle money. The author, Stephen Day, uses something called a mini economy for his household. He created fake money, fake bank accounts, and a fake store with real-life things the kids can purchase. This child-focused, activity driven money management guide is sort of how I taught my children, just on a stricter and more regimented way.
The great thing about the mini economy is that it’s an experiential learning tool that focuses on work ethic. There’s also a great emphasis on empowering kids to learn about self-sufficiency as well as generosity. The author focuses on giving to the church, but even non-believers can focus on saving 5-10% for a charity of their choice, like an animal shelter.
This practical guide is a good way to create little money managers. As a parent, I can’t complain, and as the Bargain Sleuth, I love that this resource is around to teach kids the value of a dollar.
I thought the narrator, Brandon Pollock, did an outstanding job with the prose. He sounded nice and approachable and relatable.
As someone who grew up with no one teaching me how to handle money, save for a Consumer Literacy class in high school that taught me how to write a check, I made sure I took a different approach with my kids. Now that they’re nearly grown up, some of them still need some help. I wondered if Teach a Kid to Save would be helpful.
This book is designed to teach young kids how to handle money. The author, Stephen Day, uses something called a mini economy for his household. He created fake money, fake bank accounts, and a fake store with real-life things the kids can purchase. This child-focused, activity driven money management guide is sort of how I taught my children, just on a stricter and more regimented way.
The great thing about the mini economy is that it’s an experiential learning tool that focuses on work ethic. There’s also a great emphasis on empowering kids to learn about self-sufficiency as well as generosity. The author focuses on giving to the church, but even non-believers can focus on saving 5-10% for a charity of their choice, like an animal shelter.
This practical guide is a good way to create little money managers. As a parent, I can’t complain, and as the Bargain Sleuth, I love that this resource is around to teach kids the value of a dollar.
I thought the narrator, Brandon Pollock, did an outstanding job with the prose. He sounded nice and approachable and relatable.
January 13, 2026
Teaching kids about money is hard. Many parents want to do it well but struggle with where to start, how much to share, and what is age appropriate, especially in today’s increasingly complicated financial world. Teach a Kid to Save by Stephen Day fills that gap beautifully.
Despite the title, this book goes FAR beyond saving. It lays out a practical, flexible mini economy system that helps kids and parents connect work to income, understand how the broader economy functions, and clearly see the trade offs involved in decision making, which is a critical life skill well beyond money. Families can start small with a simple monetary structure tied to extra tasks, or go all in by helping kids create real businesses that sell goods and services, from in home ventures to neighborhood or multi family market days.
The book is well researched, particularly strong on money, kids, and motivation, and written in a conversational, accessible tone. One of its greatest strengths is the author’s honesty about what worked and what did not when running a mini economy in his own home, helping others avoid common pitfalls.
If I were still raising young kids, I would absolutely use this system. This will be my go to gift for parents of young children. Highly recommended.
Despite the title, this book goes FAR beyond saving. It lays out a practical, flexible mini economy system that helps kids and parents connect work to income, understand how the broader economy functions, and clearly see the trade offs involved in decision making, which is a critical life skill well beyond money. Families can start small with a simple monetary structure tied to extra tasks, or go all in by helping kids create real businesses that sell goods and services, from in home ventures to neighborhood or multi family market days.
The book is well researched, particularly strong on money, kids, and motivation, and written in a conversational, accessible tone. One of its greatest strengths is the author’s honesty about what worked and what did not when running a mini economy in his own home, helping others avoid common pitfalls.
If I were still raising young kids, I would absolutely use this system. This will be my go to gift for parents of young children. Highly recommended.
February 19, 2026
Teach a Kid to Save is a clear guide that helps us show kids why saving money matters. It explains how you can run a simple money system (mini economy) at home, using chores, and allowance to teach how money comes in and goes out.
The tips are easy to follow and quite inspiring. I followed some of these guidelines when my kids were little and feel validated that there is science to back what I taught them.
If you homeschool your children, there are special tips that can help you show them how to save, give, and plan their money. The questions and lessons for parents and children are useful, and the saving approach doesn’t feel overwhelming or unreachable.
First Line (Introduction): “Only if you pay me.”
Genre: Parenting
Author: Stephen Day
Page Count: 208
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
The tips are easy to follow and quite inspiring. I followed some of these guidelines when my kids were little and feel validated that there is science to back what I taught them.
If you homeschool your children, there are special tips that can help you show them how to save, give, and plan their money. The questions and lessons for parents and children are useful, and the saving approach doesn’t feel overwhelming or unreachable.
First Line (Introduction): “Only if you pay me.”
Genre: Parenting
Author: Stephen Day
Page Count: 208
#CoverLoverBookReview received a review copy of this book. Opinions are my own.
March 2, 2026
🌟Book Review🌟
📖 Teach A Kid To Save by Stephen Day is about so much more than saving money. It's about teaching our children how the economy works with taxes, fines, entrepreneurship, product resources, and more. This is done through a mini economy in which each family member has jobs, earns fake money, makes a plan for how to manage the fake money, and then spends it at the family store. It allows kids to learn and practice how to manage money wisely.
💭 I loved this book. I am going to start a mini economy with my family this summer and will be referencing this book. I liked that Stephen Day has much experience using the mini economy with his own family and gives tips and advice for success but also admits mistakes and what he would've done differently.
🌟I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
📖 Teach A Kid To Save by Stephen Day is about so much more than saving money. It's about teaching our children how the economy works with taxes, fines, entrepreneurship, product resources, and more. This is done through a mini economy in which each family member has jobs, earns fake money, makes a plan for how to manage the fake money, and then spends it at the family store. It allows kids to learn and practice how to manage money wisely.
💭 I loved this book. I am going to start a mini economy with my family this summer and will be referencing this book. I liked that Stephen Day has much experience using the mini economy with his own family and gives tips and advice for success but also admits mistakes and what he would've done differently.
🌟I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for a review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
March 31, 2026
This book is a way that is both common and different for teaching children about money. I liked that it brings new ideas to enhance existing techniques, and the real-life cases he experienced with his children also help to illustrate the concepts better and make them easier to understand.
As always, I think the audio format is just a complement to this type of book; some information is lost in this format, and it's always important to be able to see and review these ideas in print.
That said, Brandon Pollock does a great job narrating the book; following the narration along with the printed book makes for a complete experience.
As always, I think the audio format is just a complement to this type of book; some information is lost in this format, and it's always important to be able to see and review these ideas in print.
That said, Brandon Pollock does a great job narrating the book; following the narration along with the printed book makes for a complete experience.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This book is an easy read with loads informations and ideas on how to teach our kids to save. I love the discussion prompts for kids. It makes it easy to have interesting, meaningful conversations about money/economy. The many firsthand testimonies from the author helped to reveal some mistakes to avoid and give a better idea of how it applies in life. The audiobook narrator kept it engaging. The only thing I was annoyed at was the repetitions; a lot of things come back over and over.
Thank you, Netgalley and RBMedia, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
Thank you, Netgalley and RBMedia, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review
April 24, 2026
I love the idea of a mini economy and I am so excited to try one with my kids this summer. I love the concept of them getting to practice with money while the stakes are low and that they won’t be wasting my own hard earned money in the process. The book was a bit repetitive and I thought it was over priced for the info it had (maybe that was on purpose to teach parents about money haha). Overall I am excited to put into action the concept this book about.
February 3, 2026
This is a phenomenal resource to help parents teach their kids financial management. It's basically a mini economics course for kids and families. It's very practical and includes everything you need to set your kids up for success. I highly recommend it!
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All opinions are my own.
February 25, 2026
This book is so good. Practical, simple, easily adaptable to fit your family and dynamics. Looking forward to implementing these strategies with our children as they grow to give them a solid financial foundation! I know they will love having our own family economy at home. So grateful for the insight provided in this book!
Review of advance copy received from Author
Love this book and have seen it work! My family and I have run a family economy two summers in a row based on Stephen’s encouragement. It has been a great way to practically teach our kids about money and how to handle it. A must read!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
I love Stephen's creative and practical approach to not just teaching kids about money, but really getting them involved. I love the family economy concept and it's made talking about money a lot easier for our 5 year old to understand. I'm really excited to put these strategies to use in our home!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book is exactly what every parent needs to help talk to their kids about money. The best part is the mini economy game can be as simple or as complex as you want! I cannot wait to do this with my kids!
Displaying 1 - 26 of 26 reviews