Hello Mini Millionaires Fam,

Welcome to this week’s edition.

There are few things as cool as seeing an email or DM from our readers come through. We read each and every single one, so please keep them coming. And who knows, we might even share something from your family’s Mini Millionaires journey with our readers.

This week, we’re talking about: How to teach kids to use money to buy time.

Using money to “outsource” life’s little tasks could land you and your family a whole lot of extra time to spend on the things you really want.

So let’s dive into a mindset to cultivate, a habit to form, and a tip to try.

For most kids, their early understanding of money’s job is to buy things.

Toys, snacks, or the latest viral craze. But they rarely learn that money can also buy something far more valuable: time. 

So when we spend money to save time, we create space for the things in life that matter most, like family, rest, creativity, or simply slowing down. 

And kids can also learn this. Instead of only asking “What can I get?”, they can start asking “What can this free up?”

Money is a tool to free up minutes for what matters.

By reframing money as a tool that buys you time, it helps to see money as so much more than just something to spend on stuff. 

For example, buying pre-cut veggies instead of chopping them yourself just bought back 15 minutes of dinner prep, and you can now kick the ball around with your kids. 

So use those sorts of reframing mindsets to teach your children how money can actually also be used to free up your time.

And people who spend money on time-saving purchases are generally happier.

Takeaway: Before spending, ask: “Will this save us time or cost us time?”

Time-tag every price.

Instead of just teaching kids that something costs R50, connect it to time. 

“That’s about two hours of chores or work.” This frames money in terms of minutes. 

Then add the trade-off: “If we buy this, does it save or steal time later?” 

Economists call this opportunity cost. And it’s the idea that every choice has a hidden trade-off. When kids habitually time-tag purchases, they learn to weigh both money and minutes in every decision.

Takeaway: For every purchase, ask: “How many minutes does this cost, and how many does it save?”

Do one “Time Buy” this week.

Pick a simple way to buy back time as a family. 

Outsource a chore once (like car washing or lawn mowing), buy pre-cut ingredients for dinner, or use delivery instead of a store run. 

Then (and this is key), decide as a family how you’ll spend the time you freed up. Play a game, take a walk, or share a meal. 

Plus, (handy little bonus for Mom and Dad), parents who outsource small tasks often find it frees mental space as well.

Takeaway: Try one “time buy,” track the minutes you saved, and enjoy them together.

This week’s free downloadable resource helps kids see exactly how we can use money to buy moments, not just things.

Your mini millionaires can write down an activity they love doing with you, with an estimate of how long that activity takes. 

Parents then choose a small “time buy” like ordering groceries instead of shopping, which frees up enough time to do the activity.

You’ll be amazed to learn what your kids love doing together, and how easy it is to choose ways to buy back your time.

It’s a simple idea, with a big payoff of less rushing, more connecting.

Use all that time you just saved to gather the family for a round of FinMaster, fresh off its 2nd place win at the 12th International Educational Games Competition in Levanger, Norway. 

Judges called it “a game that brings very good financial literacy enforced in the gameplay, with complex and engaging mechanics simulating real-world financial systems.” 

Build your fortune, outplay your opponents, and make money lessons fun for everyone.

Get your hands on FinMaster today, in-store at selected retailers, or order in time for our next drop coming in December 2025.

Last week, we asked you what your mini millionaire is most likely to pitch in The Bull Pen, and we have a tie this week. Looks like the time saved from chores can be spent snacking on treats. Nice. 

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🍪 A snack stand

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🐕 A pet-walking service

🟨🟨🟨⬜️⬜️ 🎨 An arts and crafts biz

🟩🟩🟩🟩🟩 🧹 Chore-hacking innovations

⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️⬜️ 🤔 Something completely wild

What you said: 

“We've got a soap biz from one of our mini millionaires, but fully expecting something wild from the other - hahaha”

Jason

Very cool. Please send us catalogues when they’re ready. We’re on the lookout for some nice Christmas gifts…

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.