Hello,

And welcome to another power-packed edition of Mini Millionaires.

In this edition, we’re unpacking how to teach kids about financial peer pressure.

And it’s hard when the desires for kids to have the latest and greatest (or what their friends and classmates have) overlap with parents wanting to give the very best for their kids.

But trying to keep up with the Joneses, the Dlaminis, the Adamses, the Naidoos, and the van der Merwes has far-reaching consequences.

It not only tempts already cash-strapped families to turn to debt, but also raises a next generation of “consume at all costs”. Not good.

Let’s get straight into it.

Peer pressure is one of the strongest forces kids will face as they grow. 

From the sneakers everyone is wearing to the cellphones and gadgets they “have to have” because “everyone else has one,” the pressure to keep up with others can quickly turn into money stress. 

And that sort of thinking left unchecked can be disastrous for their financial futures.

In many instances, it can lead to debt, something that is already a major issue worldwide.

Kids may want to spend not because they truly value something, but because they’re worried about fitting in.

Fitting in vs. standing strong

Peer pressure thrives on the belief that belonging comes from having the same things as everyone else. 

Helping your mini millionaire see that their self-worth shouldn’t be tied to possessions can protect them from falling into this trap.

And if they are happy with who they are and confident in themselves, they’ll be less likely to be influenced by others.

The key is to shift their mindset from “I need this to belong” to “I already belong because of who I am.”

Takeaway: Ask your child, “Are you choosing this because I want it, or because everyone else has it?”

Press pause before you purchase

Impulsive spending is often fueled by playing the comparison game with their friends. 

By creating a simple “pause and reflect” habit, you’ll help your child slow down and check in with themselves before spending. 

Being mindful allows for more deliberate decisions. Even short pauses make a big difference. 

A practical way to instill this habit is by adding a family rule: if a purchase is inspired by friends or trends, we wait at least 24 hours before deciding.

Takeaway: Build the habit of slowing down and delaying a purchase.

Practice with role-play

Preparation is a powerful antidote to pressure. 

Role-playing everyday scenarios gives kids the confidence to stand firm when faced with friends who tease or push them to spend. Role-play is an effective way to develop resistance skills, especially in social settings. 

You might act out a scene where a friend says, “Everyone’s buying this, why aren’t you?” and then guide your child to respond with confidence. These rehearsals help your child feel equipped to deal with them, and also make real-life moments less intimidating.

Takeaway: Practice the lines together so kids have ready-made responses when peer pressure strikes.

The Spend Stars chart turns every purchase into a learning moment. 

After buying something, kids jot down what it was, how much it cost, and then rate it from 1 to 5 stars, from “I wish I didn’t buy it” to “I’ll treasure this forever.” 

Over time, these quick reflections reveal patterns: which choices brought joy, which felt wasteful, and what truly matters to them. It’s a fun, practical way to link spending with value and meaning. 

Download it, print it out, and use it to guide smarter money choices with every purchase they make.

You’re never too old to learn some smart money moves. 

Our board game, FinMaster, is jam-packed with the tools and knowledge to play your way to wealth and become the ultimate FinMaster at family game night.

Take control of the high-stakes wheeling and dealings, navigate real-world money challenges like building your portfolio of assets, ride the rollercoaster of market events, and walk away with big money bragging rights.

It’s financial education masquerading as fun and games. 

Order your FinMaster copy today, be money-smart by the weekend.

In our poll last week, we asked how often you talk to your kids about online safety, and looks like last week's edition might be really helpful for getting conversations about digital financial scams going.   

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️  🗓 Weekly

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️  🌙 Monthly

🟨🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🍂 A few times a year

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ 🙈 Rarely / never

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🚨 Only when something suspicious happens

What you said: 

“Kids don't have unfettered access to the internets. But it's good to stay up to date with the latest scams. I think AI (especially video and voice cloning using AI) is going to introduce a whole new world of scampabilities... ”

Scary to think where AI could take things, but then having these sorts of open conversations helps build awareness before it becomes an issue.

What’s the mindset, habit, or tip you want to try this week?

What worked, what didn’t? Or is there something that’s got you and your mini millionaire excited? 

We’d love to get your thoughts, so hit reply to this email and let us know what's on your mind.

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