Let’s Talk About Money!

The Exceptional Life Skill Kids Should Be Learning in School

Money affects almost every major decision we make in life—yet most people leave school having never been taught how to manage it.

We teach children algebra, poetry analysis, and historical dates, but we leave them to figure out budgeting, debt, contracts, credit, and financial responsibility through trial and error. The result? Anxiety, mistakes, and long-term consequences that could have been avoided with basic education.

It is time we talked about money—openly, practically, and early.

Money Is Not Just Maths — It’s a Life Skill

Money is emotional. It influences confidence, choices, relationships, and stress levels. When people struggle financially, it is rarely because they cannot do arithmetic; it is because they were never taught:

• How to budget realistically
• How debt actually works
• How interest accumulates
• How to evaluate financial risk
• How to plan beyond the next month

These are not advanced concepts. They are foundational life skills.

Silence Around Money Creates Shame

When money is not discussed openly, it becomes charged with embarrassment and secrecy. Many adults feel they have “failed” financially when, in truth, they were simply never educated.

Teaching money skills in school would:

• Normalise financial conversations
• Reduce shame and secrecy
• Empower young people to ask questions early
• Create confidence instead of fear

Financial literacy is preventative, not reactive.

Kids Will Earn, Spend, Borrow — Whether We Prepare Them or Not

Every child will grow up to:

• Earn money
• Spend money
• Sign contracts
• Make financial commitments

Some will also take on debt, start businesses, raise families, or support others. Not preparing them for this reality is not neutrality—it is neglect.

Understanding money early allows young adults to make informed choices instead of costly mistakes.

Financial Education Builds Independence and Resilience

Teaching children about money does not make them materialistic. It makes them capable.

Financial education supports:

• Independence
• Responsibility
• Critical thinking
• Long-term planning
• Healthy boundaries

It also reduces vulnerability to exploitation—whether by lenders, employers, or even personal relationships.

Money Education Supports Healthy Relationships

One of the biggest sources of conflict in adult relationships is money. Teaching young people how to:

• Talk about finances
• Understand different money mindsets
• Respect boundaries
• Plan collaboratively

would directly contribute to healthier personal and professional relationships later in life.

What Schools 

Could

 Teach (Simply and Practically)

Financial education does not need to be complex. Core topics could include:

• Budgeting and living within means
• Credit, loans, and interest
• Saving versus spending
• Understanding payslips and taxes
• Financial decision-making and consequences

These lessons would be far more useful than many topics students never apply again.

Conclusion

Money is not a taboo subject.

It is not shameful.

And it is not optional in life.

Teaching children how money works equips them with confidence, clarity, and agency. It prepares them not just to survive adulthood—but to navigate it with intention.

Let’s talk about money.

And let’s start in schools.