“A gift isn't just what's given — it's what you do with it that makes it matter."
Hey There,
Are you ready for the next edition of Mini Millionaires?
In this edition, we chat about Generous Grannies, Glorious Gifts, and the lasting legacies they can unlock: How to teach kids to best use Granny’s gift…
Special shoutout to Mini Millionaires reader, Amishka, for this week’s topic inspiration.
If there’s a specific smart money topic you’d like to read about in a future edition of Mini Millionaires, hit reply and let us know. We’d love to help.
Let’s dive in together.
Their Money Headstart
👵 Granny’s Generous Gift: Make it count.
🗺️ Download. Print. Track: Get our free Money Map.
🎲 Smart Money Plays: Order this winter’s hottest boardgame.
❎ Last Week’s Poll: Compound interest, interest?
Money Smart
Granny’s Greatest Gifts
When grandparents give money to your kids, whether it’s for a birthday, a holiday treat, or “just because”, it’s so much more than them being generous and sweet.
It provides a golden opportunity to teach your mini millionaires about money values. Our natural instinct might be to deposit it, spend it, or even forget it. But the way we handle Granny’s Gift can help shape how your child thinks about money for life.
This week, we’re zooming in on the cash gift and using it to lay down some firm financial foundations of gratitude, decision-making, and long-term thinking.
1. A mindset to cultivate
Every gift is a story. Use it to help them see the meaning behind the money.
Money from Granny isn’t “free money.”
It usually represents the result of years of hard work, smart choices, and, of course, deep love.
Remember, an earlier edition of Mini Millionaires, where we unpacked the connection between money and effort?
If we help kids connect the dots that this R200 gift represents time and effort, it shifts their mindset from what they can get to what they can do. This builds a sense of stewardship over spending.
Takeaway: Before the money’s used, talk about: “Why do you think Granny gave this to you?”
2. A habit to form
Create a 4-part money plan: Spend, Save, Share, and Sow
Whenever your mini millionaire receives money, introduce the habit of dividing it up into four parts:
Spend: Something small and fun now.
Save: For a goal or their future self.
Share: Give to someone or something that matters to them.
Sow: Investing in their future growth.
Even a R100 note can be split into powerful lessons.
Our Four Jar method is a key foundational financial concept, and goes a long way in instilling money management skills (before they become teenagers), increasing the likelihood of financial security in their future.
Granny can gift directly into that Sow jar using this recently launched South African app, Squirrel Away app.
Takeaway: Let your child physically divide the money into Spending, Saving, Sharing, and Sowing.
3. A tip/trick to try
Turn a thank-you into a mini money report.
After your child receives a gift from Granny, help them create a little thank-you video.
Ask them to share how they plan to use the money. Whether it’s saving up for a microscope, giving R10 to a cause, or buying new shin pads, it turns their decision into a moment of reflection and ownership.
And an added bonus: Grandparents LOVE it. A nice little thank you, how they’re going to use the gift, and a cute vid of their now-favourite grandkid they can watch over and over again.
Practicing gratitude is linked to better financial decision-making and delayed gratification, hallmarks of smart money people.
Takeaway: Record a quick 30-second video: “Thank you, Granny! Here’s what I’m going to do with your gift…”
Your Thoughts…
What usually happens when your kid gets money from Granny?
Use This
Money moves made simple.
No spreadsheets. No formulas. Just a simple way for your mini millionaire to track their cash.
Our easy-to-use (and seriously cool-looking) Money Map helps kids visualise where their money’s going. And, it teaches them the basics of budgeting without the overwhelm.
Just download, print, and stick it up somewhere for them to see it. Then start writing down what comes in (yep, even that cash from Granny for their birthday), and then allocate how much goes to Spending, Saving, Sharing, and Sowing.
Who knew managing money could look this good?
Play On
Build Wealth. Beat the Market. Outsmart Your Family.
Turn up the heat at family game night this winter with FinMaster, our fun, financial education boardgame that turns family game night into a fast-paced financial adventure.
Snag assets, dodge disasters, and pull off surprise power moves as you race to build your money empire. No textbooks. No lessons. Just money smart learnings you won't get board of. *wink
Buy, sell, and invest with purpose
Survive market mayhem
Outsmart the competition (your siblings) with strategy
FinMaster 2025 is on the way with a sleeker design, smoother gameplay, and fresh POWER cards.
The Tribe Has Spoken
Last week, we asked you how Compound interest makes you feel. And it looks like some of us might’ve missed the compound interest bus.
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 😵 Slightly confused
🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🚌 Like I missed the bus
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 💪 Ready to start saving!
🟨⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 📈 Low-key obsessed
⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤓 Like Einstein, I’m milking it.
What you said:
“*hides...”
Argh. Know how you feel. Hopefully, last week’s edition of Mini Millionaires got some juices flowing. :-)
Let’s Connect
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.
PS: Did someone forward you this email? Subscribe here.