What to Do When You’re the Financial Role Model — and Still Learning

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Let’s be honest.

Most of us didn’t grow up with perfect money habits.
We’re learning as we go.
And sometimes that learning comes with late fees, impulse buys, or financial anxiety we don’t want our kids to inherit.

So here’s the challenge:
How do you teach your kids good money habits when you’re still trying to build them yourself?

The answer isn’t perfection.
It’s progress — and transparency.

Let’s talk about how to lead by example, even while you’re still figuring it out.

Your Kids Are Watching (Even When You Think They Aren’t)

Here’s the thing: kids don’t need lectures.
They need models. Real-life examples. Conversations. Context.

They pick up on everything:

• The stress in your voice when the credit card bill arrives

• The excitement when you pay off a loan

• The way you talk about money with your partner

• The tone you use when they ask for something you can’t afford

You’re already modeling money habits — whether you realize it or not.

The good news? You don’t have to be perfect.
You just have to be intentional.

Step 1: Be Honest About the Journey

One of the most powerful things you can say to your kids is:

Try this:

This does two important things:

1. It teaches them that learning is lifelong

2. It removes the shame around financial mistakes

You’re not hiding your mess — you’re showing them how to clean it up.

Step 2: Share Small Wins in Real Time

Let your kids see your progress.

• “I paid off a credit card today — that means we’ll have more money for family stuff next month.”

• “We skipped takeout this week, and that helped us save for our trip.”

• “I set up an automatic transfer to savings — wanna help me name the savings jar?”

These micro-moments matter.
They create a running story in your household that says: We’re getting better with money, one step at a time.

Step 3: Don’t Hide Your Mistakes — Talk About Them

If you overspend or make a money mistake, you don’t have to panic or pretend it didn’t happen.

Try this instead:

That teaches problem-solving, responsibility, and humility — not shame.

And it tells your kids: It’s okay to mess up, as long as you learn from it.

Step 4: Involve Your Kids in Real Money Decisions

Even if you’re not a money expert, let your kids sit in on small money decisions.

• Have them help with the grocery budget

• Let them compare prices when shopping

• Show them how to divide allowance into saving/spending/giving

• Ask them to help prioritize: “We can’t do both the zoo and the movie this weekend — which would you pick?”

This turns them from passive observers into active participants.
They’ll start to develop critical thinking skills around money just by being included.

Step 5: Focus on Progress, Not Perfection

Your kids don’t need a dad with a perfect credit score or a flawless financial track record.
They need a dad who’s:

• Learning

• Growing

• Making intentional choices

• Willing to talk about money openly and honestly

In fact, watching you grow may be more impactful than watching someone who always “had it together.”

Why? Because they’ll see how change happens.

And that’s the best gift you can give them.

Real Talk From The Money Dad

In our house, we didn’t always have a financial system.
There were times I was winging it. Times I was stressed. Times I avoided the budget.

But then we started doing little things:

• Weekly money check-ins with the kids

• Clear savings goals on a whiteboard

• Saying “no” with kindness and explaining why

• Using a cash envelope for fun money to stay on track

And guess what?
The kids started asking questions. They started learning — right alongside us.

Action Steps You Can Take This Week

1. Tell your kids one thing you’re working on financially. Keep it simple and age-appropriate.

2. Share one financial win at the dinner table. Even something small like staying under grocery budget.

3. Involve your child in one money decision. Grocery list, back-to-school shopping, or comparing streaming plans.

4. Forgive yourself for not being perfect. Then commit to one small habit change this week.

Final Thoughts

You don’t have to be a financial expert to raise financially literate kids.
You just have to be real. Intentional. And willing to grow.

Because at the end of the day, modeling good money habits isn’t about always getting it right.
It’s about showing your kids what it looks like to learn, adjust, and move forward with purpose.

They’ll remember that more than any budgeting app.

Question for you: What’s one money habit you’re working on right now — and how could you share that journey with your kids this week?
Let me know in the comments or reply to the newsletter — I read every one.

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