As a dad blogger in the Philippines, one of my biggest struggles (aside from explaining why Jollibee doesn’t deliver in the middle of a typhoon) is teaching my kids the value of money. Let’s face it: kids today think money comes from two places—ATMs and Dad’s wallet.
But if we want them to grow up financially responsible (and maybe stop asking for every new toy in Toy Kingdom), we have to start teaching them early. So here are my tried-and-tested (and sometimes hilarious) dad-approved tips for teaching kids how to save money.
1. The Magic of the Alkansya (Piggy Bank 101)
Filipino kids all grew up with an alkansya—whether it was a pig, a can of Ligo sardines, or an old Yakult bottle sealed with masking tape. The point is: start small.
Tell your child, “Every time you save, you’re feeding your future.”
Of course, my son thought that meant his alkansya would turn into a Jollibee Chickenjoy bucket. But hey, at least he’s saving.
2. The “Half for You, Half for the Future” Rule
Whenever your kid gets money from ninongs, ninangs, or lola during Christmas or birthdays, teach them this: Half you can spend, half you must save.
That way, they still enjoy the fruits of their labor (or should I say, the fruits of my Christmas caroling skills back in the 90s), while also learning discipline.
Pro tip: If they resist, remind them, “Someday, you’ll need this for a Starbucks frappe in college. Trust me, anak, it’s expensive.”
3. Play “Tindahan” at Home
Set up a mini sari-sari store in your living room. Put prices on chips, toys, and maybe even access to the WiFi password (₱5 per hour—just kidding… or am I?).
Let your kids “buy” things using pretend money. This teaches them two things:
-
Budgeting – You can’t have everything.
-
Patience – Waiting for payday (a.k.a. Dad’s sweldo) is part of life.
4. Monkey See, Monkey Do (a.k.a. Practice What You Preach)
Let’s be honest—kids watch us more than they listen to us. If they see you swiping your credit card like Dora swipes her map, they’ll think money is unlimited.
So show them the basics: making a grocery list, comparing prices in the palengke, and saying “Next time na lang” when something’s not in the budget. They’ll learn faster than you think.
5. Celebrate the Small Wins
If your child manages to save ₱100, celebrate it. Maybe not with a trip to Disneyland (unless you’re secretly Manny Pacquiao), but with something fun—like letting them choose the next movie for family night.
Kids need to see that saving money has rewards. And who knows, maybe one day they’ll save enough to buy you that Starbucks frappe.
Final Thoughts
Teaching kids to save money is not just about pesos and cents—it’s about teaching discipline, patience, and gratitude. In the Philippines, where family is at the heart of everything, financial habits start at home.
And trust me, fellow parents: it’s better they learn about saving now, than when they’re adults still asking you for “pang-load.”
Because at the end of the day, we want our kids to grow up smart, responsible, and maybe—just maybe—the kind of adults who’ll finally pay for our Jollibee meals.
0 Comments