Talking to kids about money isn’t easy. When many of us were young, we had change jars in all their glory. We felt their weight and we were content: our precious savings were adding up – until our siblings nicked it all, obviously.
But kids often don’t have the same sense of physical money anymore. It might not grow on trees, but that little card does seem to have an endless supply.
So we devised a challenge to get kids talking and thinking about money. With the help of a Starling Kite debit card for 6-16 year-olds, give your kids total control of your family budget for a period.
Will they rise to the challenge? What will they learn? What will you learn? And will you be eating M&Ms for dinner every day? We asked three popular podcaster families to get involved too. Here’s how they got on!
Podcasters, assemble
Scummy Mummies: comedians Ellie Gibson and Helen Thorn, featuring Charlie, aged 10, and Hugo, 11. Budget: £100 for a grand day out in central London.
Dope Black Dads: Marvyn Harrison, founder of the Dope Black community, with Blake, six, and Ocean, four. Budget: £150 over three days! Brave.
Made by Mammas: Zoe Hardman and Georgia Dayton, alongside Isla, eight. Budget: £50 for a pre-holiday shopping trip.