5 phrases I say to my kids to get them excited about saving money for the future

When I first said this to my kids their eyes widened. The idea of earning money in your sleep sounds like magic to a kid, and that’s exactly why it works. I explained that it’s not magic at all. It’s compound growth through investing.

We started small and kept it simple. Any time they earn allowance or receive birthday money, they save a portion to buy index fund shares. I show them charts of how those funds have grown over time, and we log in together every few months to check on their progress.

An example of one of the progress charts I’ll show my kids.

Photo: Jonathan Sanchez

Instead of their money collecting dust in a wallet, it’s working for them in the stock market. Sometimes we talk about how a rising stock price can be good or bad depending on whether you’re buying or selling, and I’m truly proud of how quickly they grasp the concept.

By turning investing into something visual and hands-on, I’ve made saving feel like a game that builds their curiosity and patience.

This gets them thinking long-term. Kids don’t have car payments or rent, but they can face mini-emergencies, such as a lost toy, a broken bike chain, or a school fee they forgot about.

So I teach them about preparing for the unexpected. I tell them not to think of if something happens, but when it happens. That mindset shift turns saving into a source of peace, rather than pressure.

Whenever they get an allowance, they set aside a small amount for “just-in-case” situations. And when something does go wrong, they know how to handle it.

For example, when my son lost his retainer, he immediately offered to pay for a replacement. We covered the cost, of course, but I used it as a chance to praise his accountability and remind him why savings matter.

This one always makes them stop and think. I tell my kids that hard work pays for essentials like food and housing, but the goal isn’t to work forever. It’s to reach a point where your money starts working for you.

I explain that when you invest early, your future self has more options. You can choose work that’s meaningful, spend more time with family, or even retire early if you want to.

I remind them that as income grows, it’s tempting to buy bigger or flashier things. But true freedom comes from having choices, not stuff. Saving and investing today means they won’t be trapped by bills tomorrow. 

We live in an on-demand world. Almost anything can be delivered in a day or streamed in seconds. But that convenience can have a downside. It can make us impatient.

I constantly remind my kids that waiting builds value. Credit cards and “buy now, pay later” apps make instant gratification easy, but debt can turn that momentary happiness into long-term stress.

When my kids want something, I encourage them to save up instead of using credit. The process teaches them discipline and self-control. 

More often than not, after a few weeks of saving, they realize they don’t want the item anymore. Instead, they’d rather keep their money or find something cheaper in price and more meaningful.

This phrase ties everything together. When kids earn something, whether it’s money, good grades, or sports awards, they value it differently. My kids take better care of the things they save for because they understand the effort it took to earn them.

Saving money teaches patience, but it also builds gratitude and confidence. They learn that what they achieve has meaning because it takes persistence and intention.

When I see them pause before making a purchase or proudly show me their savings balance, it reminds me that these lessons are working. They’re not just saving for the sake of saving. They’re learning to think, plan, and dream.