The Art of Allowance Podcast | Parenting | Families | Money Smarts | Financial Literacy

In this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, host John Lanza and personal finance expert Laura Adams discuss how to introduce investing to children in a way that fosters agency rather than anxiety. They explore various investment vehicles such as 529 plans, IRAs, custodial accounts and the new Trump accounts, emphasizing the importance of understanding the goals behind investing for kids. Their conversation also covers strategies for engaging young investors, the significance of starting early and common mistakes made by young adults in their financial journeys. Laura also shares insights on how parents can instill good investing habits in their children and the role of financial institutions in promoting financial literacy. Laura Adams is a money expert, an award-winning author and the host of the top-rated Money Girl Podcast, with more than 40 million downloads. Her mission is simple: to make complex financial topics easy to understand so people can make wise choices and live richer lives. Laura has completed over 3,000 interviews with top national outlets, including ABC World News, CBS, FOX, NBC News and NPR. In print and online, her practical advice has been featured in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, Consumer Reports and Forbes. A recipient of an MBA from the University of Florida, Laura lives in Vero Beach with her husband.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast episode, host John Lanza speaks with guest Karen Holland about her nonprofit, GIFTING SENSE®, and its core component, the DIMS – DOES IT MAKE SENSE?® SCORE Calculator. They discuss the importance of teaching kids mindful spending habits, particularly during middle school–a critical time for developing financial literacy. Karen also shares insights on how the DIMS SCORE® helps children make informed purchasing decisions, reduces family discord over money and encourages reflection on spending choices. Her conversation with John emphasizes the need for experiential learning and the role of parents in guiding their kids towards better money management practices. Karen Holland is an economist, a mom and the founder of the nonprofit GIFTING SENSE®. Karen holds a master's degree in economic history and an honors bachelor's degree in economics. She has been named a Next Gen Personal Finance Distinguished Educator and believes that early success with thinking before buying primes kids to seek out the financial knowledge they'll need later, building confident, financially literate citizens for life.  

Host John Lanza and returning guest Cameron Huddleston discuss the financial challenges faced by recent college graduates and the strategies parents can use to support their children transitioning into adulthood. They cover topics such as drafting a launch contract for monetary support, navigating job searches in a challenging market, establishing a minimum viable money system, understanding credit and obtaining appropriate legal and financial documents. John and Cameron's conversation emphasizes the need for open communication between parents and adult children regarding financial expectations and responsibilities as well as the importance of teaching money smarts and mindfulness. Cameron Huddleston is the author of Mom and Dad, We Need to Talk: How to Have Essential Conversations with Your Parents About Their Finances. She is also an award-winning journalist with nearly 25 years of experience writing about personal finance. Her work has appeared in AARP, Kiplinger's Personal Finance, the Chicago Tribune, Forbes Advisor, Yahoo Finance and many more print and online publications.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast conversation, guest Barbara Coloroso shares her parenting insights with host John Lanza. Barbara emphasizes the importance of structure, flexibility and encouragement in raising resilient, money-smart kids. She discusses the different family types outlined in her work, the significance of teaching about money from a young age and the value of allowing children to make mistakes as part of the learning process. Barbara also highlights a caregiver's progression from parent to guide to friend and the critical role of reflection in improving parenting strategies. Barbara Coloroso is an internationally recognized author, educator and parenting consultant with over 50 years of experience. A sought-after speaker on bullying, discipline, parenting and teaching, Barbara has appeared on CNN, NPR and Oprah and been featured in Newsweek, The New York Times and U.S. News & World Report. Barbara's work blends academic training in philosophy, sociology and special education with real-world insights drawn from her experiences as a teacher, volunteer, mother and grandmother. She has authored four bestselling books, including kids are worth it!, which frames her discussion with John.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast episode, host John Lanza speaks with guest Steve Bugg about what it takes to build money-smart families and communities. Steve is the CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, one of our partners engaging kids and empowering parents through The Money Mammals powered by The Art of Allowance. He and John discuss the role of technology in financial education, the challenges of connecting with schools and the future of credit unions in promoting financial literacy. Steve also shares how his approach to teaching financial responsibility has evolved from parenting to grandparenting, emphasizing the value of starting early and building strong money habits. Steve Bugg is the President and CEO of Great Lakes Credit Union, which boasts over 100,000 members in Northern Illinois. After working in the banking and telecommunications industries, Steve joined the credit union movement 17 years ago. His dedication to serving underserved markets through financial literacy, housing counseling and community partnerships has led him to collaborate with numerous nonprofit and industry organizations, including the Lake County Community Foundation, Waukegan Public Library, Illinois Credit Union League Legislative Committee and National Credit Union Foundation Fundraising Committee. A University of Evansville graduate, Steve is a passionate advocate for improving the financial well-being of low- and moderate-income households.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast episode, host John Lanza welcomes JL Collins and his daughter, Jess, for a conversation about financial independence and family money lessons. They discuss the principles of JL's bestseller, The Simple Path to Wealth, the process of writing and updating the book and the importance of teaching kids about money from a young age. John, JL and Jess also explore investing in index funds, navigating stock market fluctuations and why JL feels homeownership is misunderstood as an investment. Additionally, they address the challenges of maintaining smart money habits, the evolving perspective of Jess's financial journey and the power of values-based spending. JL Collins, often called the "Godfather of Financial Independence," has been investing in the stock market for five decades. He developed a worldwide following through his popular blog and his first book, The Simple Path to Wealth. This title has sold over a million copies across twenty languages and is now a New York Times bestseller. Jess Collins is known as the "little girl who wouldn't listen," a nickname given to her by JL in his blog and books. From a young age, Jess began learning (perhaps against her will) about index funds, dividends and investments at the Collins family's kitchen table. Now in her 30s, she uses The Simple Path to Wealth to pave her way to financial freedom and her own fulfilled life.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast conversation, host John Lanza speaks with guest Tony Steuer about the importance of financial preparedness for young adults, particularly new college graduates. They begin by discussing The Get Ready Blueprint, Tony's comprehensive guide to managing finances. Tony also shares key financial tips, including the significance of insurance and the common monetary mistakes young adults make. Additionally, he and John highlight the emotional elements of financial decision-making, the role of AI in financial literacy and the importance of asking the right questions to build confidence in financial matters. Tony Steuer is an internationally recognized financial preparedness advocate, award-winning author, podcaster and fintech advisor who is changing the way people think about money. Tony developed The Get Ready Money Club and hosts The Get Ready Money Podcast to empower and educate people on all areas of personal finance. He is also an expert content reviewer for NerdWallet and Bankrate, a member of The Forbes Advisor Insurance Advisory Board and a five-time recipient of The Institute for Financial Literacy's "Excellence in Financial Literacy Education" Award.

During this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, host John Lanza speaks with guest Josh Golin about the evolving landscape of children's online safety, the importance of limiting kids' screen time and the legislative efforts aimed at protecting children from harmful digital marketing practices. They discuss the challenges families face in managing screen time, the significance of early childhood education and the need for collective action among parents to advocate for change. Josh shares personal experiences raising his daughter commercial-free and emphasizes the importance of instilling values around money and media consumption in children. He also highlights the urgency of supporting legislation like the Children and Teens' Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA 2.0) and the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) to create a safer digital environment for children. Josh Golin is the Executive Director of Fairplay, an organization dedicated to protecting children from exploitative practices by marketers and Big Tech. Under his leadership, Fairplay has influenced major changes at platforms like YouTube, Instagram and Amazon. Josh has testified before Congress and regularly speaks to parents, policymakers and professionals about children's media health. He also has appeared on Good Morning America and Fox News and in The New York Times and The Washington Post. He lives in Vermont with his wife, teenage daughter and dog.

During this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, host John Lanza speaks with guest Courtney Fulmer, the newly appointed President/Chief Executive Officer of SECNY Federal Credit Union. They begin by discussing the opportunities credit unions have to combat America's "financial illiteracy epidemic" and the role these institutions play in providing psychological support to their members. Courtney then shares how her journey teaching her son money smarts evolved, how her family influenced her financial decision-making and how her colorguard experiences impacted her credit union leadership. She also emphasizes the need for empathy and community support when offering financial education. Courtney Fulmer is the President/Chief Executive Officer of SECNY Federal Credit Union in Syracuse, NY. She has worked at this institution for over 20 years in various operations, marketing and business development roles. Courtney initiated youth programming at SECNY, which has been a Money Mammals and an Art of Allowance Project partner for nearly a decade. She is also a colorguard staff instructor for her high school alma mater and serves as Secretary of the New York State Field Band Conference. Courtney received her degree in Public Relations from Syracuse University and resides in Syracuse with her husband and teenage son.

In this Art of Allowance Podcast episode, host John Lanza speaks with guest Diana Graber about the challenges of and the strategies for raising kids in a digital world. They discuss understanding children's developmental readiness for technology, emphasizing ethical thinking in digital spaces and balancing the risks and the benefits of an online presence. Diana highlights the importance of teaching teens to protect their finances digitally via privacy measures and scam avoidance and the dangers of oversharing online. (Both kids and adults are guilty!) She and John also explore the need for parents to advocate for digital education in schools, especially through peer learning opportunities. Diana Graber is the author of Raising Humans in a Digital World: Helping Kids Build a Healthy Relationship with Technology and the founder of Cyberwise and Cyber Civics, two organizations devoted to digital literacy. She developed and still teaches Cyber Civics, the popular middle school digital literacy program currently in use in the US and across the globe. Diana has appeared on The Today Show and NBC Nightly News as well as in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. She has a B.A. in Communication Studies from UCLA and an M.A. in Media Psychology and Social Change from Fielding Graduate University.

In this special episode, host John Lanza teams up with Stacking Benjamins Podcast host and previous Art of Allowance Podcast guest Joe Saul-Sehy to interview author Jon Acuff. These three dads discuss parenting challenges and strategies, particularly regarding teaching teens about money and life skills. They also explore the importance of empathy when parenting, the role of repetition in financial education and the value of kids' seeking guidance from other adults. Their conversation emphasizes the need for parents to be open about their own money mistakes and to create a supportive environment in which their children can learn and grow. It also touches on the significance of self-awareness and the impact of overthinking in parenting. Jon Acuff is a New York Times bestselling author whose newest book is How Teens Win. He is also an INC Magazine Top 100 Leadership speaker who has spoken to hundreds of thousands of people at conferences and in companies around the world. Jon's highly engaged social media followers and email subscribers look to him for his unique blend of humor, honesty and hope. He lives outside of Nashville, Tennessee, with his wife and two teenage daughters, with whom he co-wrote How Teens Win.

Host John Lanza and guest Erin McNeill discuss the importance of starting the media literacy conversation with children early, just like parents can do with the financial literacy conversation. Erin explains that kids are likely willing to understand and decode the myriad media messages they face. She even suggests that parents have conversations with teachers about integrating media literacy into classrooms and advocate for it to become a required skill taught in schools, just like reading and math. Erin and John also highlight the importance of digital wellness, the process of helping kids recognize targeted marketing, the connection between media literacy and financial literacy and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI. Erin McNeill is the CEO and Founder of Media Literacy Now. She established this nonprofit in 2013 to address the messages her children were receiving through cartoons and advertisements. Erin and Media Literacy Now are leading the grassroots movement to ensure all students learn the 21st-century media literacy skills they need for health, well-being, economic participation and citizenship.  

Host John Lanza talks with guest Andy Hill about the journey from burdensome debt to financial freedom and, in particular, navigating such an experience with kids. Andy explains what his allowance system entails, how to communicate the power of compound interest and why he thinks modeling matters most when teaching money smarts. He also shares how he and his wife made changes in their own lives to be better financial models for their children, especially in the area of giving. Additionally, John and Andy discuss raising money-smart kids in spite of financial shame, having open money conversations, introducing the flex allowance, explaining good and bad debt, celebrating money wins and building up generosity. Andy Hill is the award-winning family finance coach behind Marriage Kids and Money, a platform dedicated to helping families build wealth and happiness. Andy's advice has been featured on or in CNBC, Forbes, MarketWatch, Kiplinger Personal Finance and NBC News. With millions of podcast downloads and video views, Andy's message of family financial empowerment resonates globally.

Returning guest Evan Wilson joins host John Lanza to talk about how his allowance system has evolved since his initial podcast appearance five years ago. He discusses helping his kids become savvy investors by adopting an ownership mentality, thinking about risk on the money-smart journey and wanting his kids to experience investing ups and downs when they are young. Evan and John also address leveraging compound interest, building wealth, starting the money conversation early and transitioning from money jars to debit cards. Evan Wilson is the founder and general partner of Wilson Investment Partnership. There he invests in great companies, especially those that put customers first. Before becoming a full-time investor, Evan was a research analyst and CFO. For seven years he also co-hosted The Money JAR Podcast by Junior Achievement, which focuses on the intersection of kids and money. Evan is a husband and father of two who lives in Portland, Oregon.

Guest Dr. Ashley LeBaron-Black returns to the podcast to talk with host John Lanza about her research focus of family finance. Ashley first defines the terms "financial well-being" and "financial socialization." She then highlights the importance of family modeling and open discussion on the money-smart journey. Ashley also emphasizes the essential nature of experiential learning and the shortcomings of classroom financial literacy. Both she and John then address the concept of money scripts, the ability of some kids (dubbed "financial phoenixes") to overcome poor modeling and the need to go beyond rational-based instruction. Dr. Ashley LeBaron-Black is an Assistant Professor of Family Life at Brigham Young University who received her PhD in Family Studies and Human Development from the University of Arizona. Her research focus is family finance, including couple finance and financial socialization. Ashley has published 33 peer-reviewed articles and is an Associate Editor for the Journal of Family and Economic Issues. She is also Chair of the Family Financial Well-Being Focus Group for the National Council on Family Relations.

Guest Colin Ryan speaks to college-age kids nationwide and shares humorous anecdotes to help them grapple with money. He also encourages parents to see their children as the heroes of their financial stories, understand their kids' unique perspectives and personalize conversations to foster connections. During his podcast appearance, Colin and host John Lanza discuss the idea of "earning by saving," the role of modeling and technology's impact on financial well-being. They also chat about personal finance's emotional and psychological facets, finding success and contentment in a consumer-driven society, social media's power, vulnerability's importance and the value of connecting through shared experiences. Colin Ryan is a comedic financial speaker, an author and an award-winning storyteller who has been featured everywhere from NPR and PBS to The Moth Radio Hour and Reader's Digest. He was named one of the top ten finance presenters in America and has spoken to over one million students and adults. He is also the author of A Comedic Guide to Money and the founder of the Public Speaking for Leaders Podcast. As a speaker's mentor, Colin is dedicated to helping talented leaders and public figures become fun, memorable and impactful communicators. He now lives in Durham, North Carolina, with his wife, Lindsey, and their dog, Remy.

Self-professed "money disaster" Joe Saul-Sehy shares his experiences with and insights on raising money-smart kids with host John Lanza. Joe recounts his own credit card debacle, which influenced how he approached money with his twins. He shares how he introduced them to money when they were young, his family's allowance system, his "circling back" strategy and how he tackled money conversations. He also discusses money tracking, the difference between saving and investing and responsible debt management. Additionally, Joe and John touch on the loneliness epidemic, the importance of financial coaching, having the freedom to make money mistakes and not making a purchase without a payment plan. Joe Saul-Sehy learned from failure. Destroying his credit immediately after leaving home, he had to gain financial experience the hard way. Ironically, he learned many lessons as a financial advisor. (Yes, he was telling other people how to manage their money!) After 16 years in the industry, he moved to financial media and created Stacking Benjamins, one of the most streamed podcasts in the personal finance sphere. He also co-authored the book Stacked: Your Super-Serious Guide to Modern Money Management. Joe lives in Texarkana with his spouse, Cheryl, and cat, Cooper, and records shows in his mom's next-door basement.

Host John Lanza speaks with Vince Shorb about the importance of financial education, the need for financial literacy programs in schools and the challenges of scaling these programs. They address the underappreciated role of parents in financial literacy education and the importance of teaching kids to save, earn money and control expenses, while highlighting the power of compounding and the psychology of money. They also discuss similar grandfatherly advice influenced by The Great Depression. Vince shares his early money lessons and how his parents encouraged his entrepreneurial spirit while emphasizing the importance of resilience in making financial decisions. Vince Shorb, CEO of the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC), has helped transform financial education by developing engaging and effective programs that significantly impact diverse communities. The NFEC's over 2,500 programs help empower community champions to help citizens work toward financial self-sufficiency and security.  

Looking for some fresh perspective on your family's money-smart journey? Kevin Kelly's approaches to finances are sure to be conversation starters. Kevin is the Senior Maverick at Wired, an award-winning magazine he co-founded in 1993. He is also the co-chair of The Long Now Foundation, a membership organization that champions long-term thinking, and the founder of the popular Cool Tools website, which has been reviewing tools daily for 20 years. What's more, Kevin has authored multiple best-selling books about the future of technology. His newest one, Excellent Advice for Living, contains 450 modern proverbs for a pretty good life.  Kevin is someone who podcaster and author Tim Ferriss has described as the real-life "most interesting man in the world." I love his writing and the radical optimism for which he is well known. (If you can't tell, he is one of my intellectual heroes.) I hope you enjoy our wide-ranging discussion, which touches on topics from billionaires and dying broke to protopias and traveling Asia.

How can parents encourage their kids to harness the power of patience on the money-smart journey? My latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, Will Rainey, offers parents strategies for teaching investing and saving. Will is an award-winning investment consultant who has advised governments, insurance companies and some of the world's largest pension schemes. During his "mini-retirement," he began writing and speaking to help parents teach their children all about money. Will wrote Grandpa's Fortune Fables, a children's book that encourages kids to plant money seeds that will, with patience, sprout into massive money trees. His company, Blue Tree Savings, has also helped thousands of parents begin money conversations with their kids. What's more, Will has been invited to speak at Fortune 500 companies, and his work has appeared in the Financial Times, Forbes, iNews and the National News.

My latest podcast guest, Megan McCoy, offers strategies for partners to address their differences and realign their intentions on a money-smart journey. We also dive into negative financial self-fulfilling prophecies, why financial opposites attract, avoiding financial fights, the power of delayed gratification and the problem with financial education in the classroom. Megan holds a Ph.D. in Human Development and Family Science with an emphasis on Marriage and Family Therapy from The University of Georgia. She is currently an Assistant Professor at Kansas State University's personal financial planning program, where she teaches courses at all levels focused on financial well-being, financial therapy and couple dynamics regarding financial therapy. What's more, Megan is a licensed Marriage and Family Therapist, an Accredited Financial Counselor® and a Certified Financial Therapist-I™.  Megan's research interests focus on financial therapy, financial well-being and financial communication. She has published over forty articles in top-tier mental health, family science, financial counseling and financial planning journals. Megan has been featured as a financial well-being expert for The Today Show, The New York Times, NPR, BBC, The Wall Street Journal and many other media outlets.  

As your tweens start to get curious about money, are you wondering how to have conversations about what it means, what it's worth, and what it can do for them? In this special episode, I speak with Samantha Paxson. Sam is trying to raise her 11yo son, Finn, to be money-smart. I heard Sam talk about her son's burgeoning interest in investing (yes, at age 11!) when she was on stage at the CU Relevant conference, at which we were both speaking. I immediately thought you'd enjoy it if we turned the tables and let my guest ask me questions. Like we did in episode 59 with Kelly Mindell, Sam Paxson comes today with bunch of questions that will be relevant to parents of tweens and teens who are on their own money-smart journeys. And once again, I've invited my former guest and fellow money-smart movement co-conspirator Robin Taub, a youth money-expert in her own right, to join me as a co-host. Samantha Paxson is Chief Experience Officer for Co-op Solutions. She is the architect of the company's enterprise change management, go-to-market and experience strategy. An accomplished speaker and thought leader, Paxson founded Co-op THINK, an innovation content platform empowering the evolution of mission-driven financial services. Over her 20-year career, Paxson's focus has been on the intersection of technology, purpose and experience. Paxson is a graduate of the University of Southern California with a degree in Journalism and Social Sciences, and holds an MBA from USC's Marshall School of Business. She is also a board leader at  USC Credit Union. In short, Sam knows the financial industry. My co-host today is Robin Taub, a CPA,  keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration they need to teach their kids about money. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with High Distinction) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Robin puts her money where her mouth is and has two (mostly) money-smart young adults, a son and a daughter.

Are you curious about strategies for setting your kids up for financial success from an early age? Chelsea Brennan, founder of Smart Money Mamas, is on a mission to help moms build meaningful wealth without the hustle. As an ex-hedge fund manager turned financial educator, Chelsea now invests in helping thousands of moms heal their money mindset to own their financial power and grow lasting holistic wealth. Her proven strategies positively impact her clients, their families, and their communities by developing the building blocks for a lasting and powerful financial legacy for future generations. Chelsea is a National Financial Education Instructor. She has been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, Yahoo Finance, Scary Mommy, and Boss Mom. When she isn't working on getting more money into the hands of mamas, Chelsea can be found reading fantasy books, doodling, or going on adventures with her husband and 2 young boys in Connecticut.

Do you feel overwhelmed by the financial burden that comes with sending your kids to college? Ann Garcia has helped thousands of families -- including her own -- save millions of dollars on college. Ann is the managing partner of Independent Progressive Advisors, a fee-only financial advisor, and the author of How to Pay for College. She's a mom to twins who just graduated debt-free from their top-choice colleges.

How can you and your kids overcome emotional ties to learn to use money as a tool? Self-proclaimed "financial cheerleader" Veronica Dangerfield provides you with a pep talk on this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast. In addition to being an international speaker, a published poet and a professional comedienne, Veronica is an award-winning Financial Educator for Patelco Credit Union. Most notably, she was honored with the 2017 Credit Union Rock Star Award and twice received the national Desjardins Award for her contributions to adult financial literacy. A graduate of Sacramento State University, Veronica has also taught financial literacy for 18 years at the college level as well as at dozens of high schools and nonprofit organizations throughout California. And as a philanthropist, she has supported the Bay Area Crisis Nursery for six years as a producer of and performer in the annual Mother's Day Comedy Show fundraiser.

How can parents ensure the money conversations they have with their kids actually matter? Guest Tom Henske offers several strategies during his second appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast. A leader in the financial industry for nearly three decades, Tom began his career in financial planning in 1994 with Cowan Financial Group. Shortly thereafter, he started his own company, Henske Advisors. They were acquired in 2003 by National Financial Partners (merging them into Lenox Advisors), which went public shortly thereafter. Tom remained an equity partner until 2020, when he retired to focus solely on matters of life insurance and building the Total Cents platform.

How do you patiently leverage an allowance system to communicate family values to a young child? As my sister, Kelly Mindell, is learning on her family's money-smart journey, the key is patience. Lots and lots of patience! The tables are turned during this special episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, as Kelly peppers me with questions regarding her own program. But so this installment doesn't turn into a family reunion (or, more likely, digress to the level of a lively Lanza board game night), my former guest and fellow money-smart movement co-conspirator Robin Taub joins in as co-host. Kelly is the founder and visionary behind Studio DIY, a colorful lifestyle brand that inspires over 700K followers throughout the social media landscape with DIY projects, bold home decor ideas and memorable holiday celebrations. Her projects have been featured in HGTV Magazine, Real Simple and Domino as well as on NBC's Parks & Recreation, Miley Cyrus's Milk tour, NPR, BuzzFeed and The Today Show. Kelly lives in Los Angeles with her husband, Jeff, and son, Arlo. Robin is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA), keynote speaker and bestselling author. Her latest award-winning book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life, gives parents the information, strategies and inspiration they need to teach their kids about money. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (with High Distinction) from the Rotman School of Management at the University of Toronto. Robin puts her money where her mouth is and has two (mostly) money-smart young adults, a son and a daughter.

Just what does the phrase "The Art of Allowance" really mean? Welcome to another Art of Allowance Podcast short! I've been seeing and hearing a lot of opinions about why an allowance is good or bad out there on the interwebs. So I recorded this brief episode to give you a broader perspective about what an allowance is and why I believe the art of it matters. Please reach out to let me know what you think of these audio nuggets. I hope you enjoy this format, as I plan to produce more shorts that I'll intersperse amongst the conversations to which you already listen. And as a heads up, I include access to our social accounts and weekly newsletter, "3 Ideas to Share & Save," in the "Links" section below.

Just what is the metaverse? And how can parents and financial institutions take advantage of it? Brett Wooden joins The Art of Allowance Podcast to answer these all-important questions from the tech realm. Brett is currently the SVP of Innovation at FTSI and previously the Chief Operations Officer at a credit union in the Northwest. He was named the Northwest Credit Union Association's Young Credit Union Professional of the Year in 2011, Credit Union Times' 40 and Under Trailblazer and Credit Union Magazine's 2020 Rock Star. Brett thrives on helping others embrace and utilize new business strategies in today's changing world. The driving force behind his organization's app development, advancement, digital and market penetration, Brett brings concepts to life by building and advancing software solutions. And while serving in multiple leadership roles at credit unions across the US, he has set a national trend for using mobile applications and digital technology to advance financial institutions.

How can developing an investor mindset in your children prepare them for financial success? Jedidiah Collins, my latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, gives us a play-by-play description of how we can help our kids learn to act like investors. Jedidiah is a former NFL player who became a Certified Financial Planner®️ (CFP). He is also the author of the book, Your Money Vehicle, the founder of a financial literacy program of the same name and an adjunct professor of personal finance. Jedidiah holds an Accounting Degree from Carson College of Business, Washington State University. He has been featured on Scout.com and ESPN.com. Jedidiah is a seasoned speaker who has delivered keynotes to and facilitated workshops for Amazon, Microsoft, Sotheby's, GlaskoSmithKline, the NFL, the MLB and numerous universities. It's easy to see why he's often referred to as "the hardest-working man in personal finance."

How can you help your kids' wealth grow not only monetarily but also practically? James Robert Lay offers a framework through his concept of "non-monetary deposits." James Robert is one of the world's leading digital marketing authors, speakers and advisors for financial brands. Based in Houston, James Robert is the author of Banking on Digital Growth: The Strategic Marketing Manifesto to Transform Financial Brands. He is also the founder and CEO of the Digital Growth Institute, where he has guided more than 520 financial brands on a mission to simplify digital marketing and sales strategies that empower banks and credit unions to generate 10X more loans and deposits. James Robert has been named one of The Financial Brand's "Top Global Financial Services Influencers to Follow," a CUNA "Credit Union Rock Star" and a CU Times "Under 40 Trailblazer." His insights have been featured in outlets including US News and World Report, Quartz, The Financial Brand, American Banker, CU Times and CU Journal, among many others.

Are you worried about the quality of your family's money-smart journey? My latest Art of Allowance Podcast guest, Jessica Willis, is here to push you past your perfectionism paralysis! Jessica founded and currently serves as the CEO of Pocketnest, a financial wellness platform designed by and for Gen Xers and Millennials. A self-proclaimed finance wizard, Jessica has spent 20 years in the investment and finance industries. She is both a Certified Financial Planner (CFPⓇ) and a Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWAⓇ) with lots of client experience, having co-managed portfolios of all shapes and sizes. Jessica also received an MBA from Loyola University Chicago's Quinlan School of Business and an undergraduate degree from the University of Michigan.

How do you ensure your kids are "ready for launch" and have some financial "skin in the game?" Let this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, featuring financial literacy advocate Bobbi Rebell, serve as your playbook! Bobbi is the author of a new book, Launching Financial Grownups: Live Your Richest Life by Helping Your (Almost) Adult Kids Become Everyday Money Smart. She is also the host of the Money Tips for Financial Grownups Podcast and the founder of GrownupGear.com. Earlier in her career, Bobbi was a global business news anchor and personal finance columnist at Reuters and held various journalist positions at top news outlets including CNBC, CNN, and PBS. She is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania and received her Certificate in Financial Planning from New York University. A mother and stepmother of three (almost) adult kids, Bobbi calls New York City home.

As with a plane's flight systems, we need all three major financial socialization systems operating effectively and with sufficient redundancy in order to best ensure our kids grow up money-empowered. Today's episode is a bit of an experiment. I've recorded an audio version of my recent essay, No Single Point of Failure. I hope you enjoy this as I plan to record more short episodes that I'll intersperse amongst the conversations you already listen to.  In the show notes for this episode, I'll make sure to include my social links and a registration link for my weekly newsletter, 3 Ideas to Share & Save. Please reach out and let me know what you think of these short audio nuggets. I hope you enjoy this first one.

How can you cultivate an entrepreneurial spirit in your children? Kirk Drake offers tips and tricks for your kids' budding businesses during his appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast. Kirk is a lifelong entrepreneur, an author, and the founder of CU 2.0 and the Painted Hills Credit Union Service Organization (CUSO). He is a credit union and technology enthusiast who has built ten successful businesses, notably the Ongoing Operations CUSO, CU Wallet, CU 2.0, and Loanify. He also serves as an advisor to many more. Kirk is the author of CU 2.0: A Guide for Credit Unions Competing in the Digital Age. Additionally, as a featured speaker, Kirk helps audiences understand the current state of credit unions, the imminent need to adapt into current digital technologies, and how to regain crucial market share in the banking industry. When Kirk isn't busy helping credit unions be relevant in today's digital age, he loves spending time with his beautiful wife Kimberly and their three amazing kids. The family also owns a vineyard and winery called Resistance Wine Company in Southern Oregon.

Ever wonder what it would be like to chat with the original Money Mammal? Then wonder no more! Eileen Lanza is a real estate investor and a Top Producer/Realtor with Keller Williams Realty in Los Angeles, where she lives with her two daughters and yours truly. Eileen and I co-created The Money Mammals, a program that gets kids excited about money smarts and which began our family's foray into youth financial literacy. Our journey eventually led to The Art of Allowance book and this podcast to help parents like you raise money-empowered children. I often refer to Eileen as the original Money Mammal because she has set the standard for money-smart behavior that informs much of what I discuss with my podcast guests. In this very special 50th episode of our program, you'll want to listen closely to hear Eileen's no-nonsense approach to money, learn why she adopted smart money habits early and discover one money-smart mistake she thinks we made in raising our own kids (which you can avoid by starting early).

Just how do you navigate an allowance system that is both digital and physical? Kennedy Reynolds will show you the way! Kennedy is the Chief Content & Education Officer at Acorns, a saving and investing app. She spearheads the company's education and impact initiatives, working to unite financial literacy and consumer decision-making and to make money tools mainstream for everyday Americans. Prior to Acorns, Kennedy led digital content strategy at Zeno Group and founded the agency's Story & Brand Practice. She graduated from Harvard University and went on to complete her Masters in Creative and Life Writing at Goldsmiths College, University of London. Kennedy is the mother of three young children and the author of Grow Your Oak, a children's book that empowers kids to invest in their financial futures.

How can parents incorporate family values into the money conversations they're having with their kids? Robin Taub offers several strategies during her second appearance on The Art of Allowance Podcast. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) by training, Robin began her career at KPMG, transitioned into real estate and then landed in the complex world of derivatives marketing at Citibank Canada. Today, she's an author and a professional speaker. Robin lives in Toronto, where she and her husband have raised two (mostly) money-smart twenty-somethings. She is an avid cyclist, snowboarder, music lover and concert goer. I'm excited to welcome her back for a conversation about her new book, The Wisest Investment: Teaching Your Kids to Be Responsible, Independent and Money-Smart for Life.

Do you consider investing to be inherently complicated? Chris Browning just might change your mind with his "boring is better" approach. He is the host of the award-winning, short-form podcast Popcorn Finance and the call-in, money-advice show This Is Awkward. Chris was one of the first finance podcasters on the scene when he began producing content in 2017. His creation, Popcorn Finance, addresses financial topics in about the time it takes to make a bag of popcorn. Chris can be seen weekly on NBCLX's Current as a personal finance expert contributor or heard on KFI AM 640 providing insights on the latest finance news. I first appeared on his show, and now he's returning the favor by joining me for a not-so-boring conversation.

What can we as parents do to empower our kids with money? Gayle Reaume offers several strategies, including encouraging entrepreneurship, promoting a "saving to invest" mentality and shifting financial decision-making power. A mom herself, Gayle founded Moolah U fifteen years ago to give kids a practiced understanding of financial responsibility. Moolah U has now served thousands of Austin, Texas families through after-school clubs, summer entrepreneur camps and now a family financial app. Says Gayle, "I'm inspired by how technology can help people at scale, and I'm using that to empower every child to enter the 'real world' with a practiced understanding of financial literacy." In 2019, Gayle was awarded the Austin U40 Mentor of the Year Award. She also has been featured multiple times in the national media, including in The Wall Street Journal and on NBC Nightly News and Bankrate.com.

What is the key to teaching money smarts in credit unions, families and schools? According to Courtney Moran, the answer is consistency. Courtney joined the Cornerstone Credit Union Foundation in 2004, becoming the executive director in 2009. Previously, she worked in the financial services industry in areas ranging from operations to marketing. In her role at Cornerstone, Courtney promotes financial education among credit unions, educators and partner organizations. She also oversees the Foundation's grants and scholarships. Both a Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE) and an International CUDE, Courtney is a Credit Union Financial Counselor through the Credit Union National Association's FiCEP program. She serves as a director on the National Credit Union Foundation board and is a member of the Advisory Council and Outreach committee for BizKid$. Courtney was also recognized as a Credit Union Rock Star by Credit Union Magazine in 2014.

What do a free lunch and a Roth IRA have in common? My latest guest (and clear contender for The "Metaphor of the Year" Award), Gene Natali, will enthusiastically educate you. Prior to serving as the CEO and CFA of Troutwood, a financial technology company, Gene spent 17 years working with large pension funds and institutional investors. He is an award-winning author who has key-noted investment and education conferences across the country and spoken in over 500 high school and college classrooms. Gene is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and holds a bachelor's degree in Economics from Allegheny College as well as an MBA with a concentration in finance from Carnegie Mellon University. He is also a board member of CFA Society Pittsburgh, a part-time lecturer at the University of Pittsburgh and an Executive in Residence at Penn State Behrend. Gene resides in Pittsburgh with his wife, four children and (not to be forgotten!) chocolate lab.

What are the keys to cultivating a culture of prosperity? Ellen Rogin has made it her life's work to educate, counsel and guide people to grow their prosperity and to use it as a force for good in their lives and in the world. The co-author of the bestselling Picture Your Prosperity: Smart Money Moves to Turn Your Vision into Reality and a TEDx presenter, she has been quoted in such national publications as The New York Times, Money and The Huffington Post. As a consultant and a speaker around the globe, Ellen combines her deeply credentialed experience as a former financial advisor with her intuitive abilities to guide people to a clearer understanding of what they can do to enhance their relationships with money, identify their money strengths and chart an inspired path to reaching their financial and business goals.

How are our financial behaviors influenced by past generations, and what can we do to acknowledge our own money issues to become better financial role models for our kids? Enter Doctor Brad Klontz's concept of money scripts. Brad is an expert in financial psychology, financial planning, and applied behavioral finance. He's also an Associate Professor of Practice at Creighton University Heider College of Business, Co-Founder of the Financial Psychology Institute, and Managing Principal of Your Mental Wealth Advisors. A Fellow of the American Psychological Association, Brad was awarded this institution's Innovative Practice Presidential Citation for his application of psychological interventions to help people with money and wealth issues and his innovative practice in financial psychology for practitioners across the country. In addition to the six books Brad has authored or edited, he has been a columnist for the Journal of Financial Planning, On Wall Street and Psychology Today. His work has been featured on many media outlets and in professional magazines and journals, including NPR, Money Magazine and The Wall Street Journal. In 2019 Brad was appointed to the CNBC Financial Wellness Council, and in 2018 he received the Montgomery-Warschauer Award from the Journal of Financial Planning, honoring the most outstanding contribution to the betterment of the financial planning profession. Brad has partnered with organizations including Capital One, JP Morgan Chase, Mutual of Omaha and H&R Block in efforts to help raise public awareness around issues related to financial health and financial psychology.

What are the criteria families should follow during the college search process? Author and journalist Ron Lieber outlines three key points and frames them in terms of the larger money conversation during this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast. A father of two and a fan of family finance, Ron has been the "Your Money" columnist for The New York Times since 2008. Before coming to The Times, he wrote the "Green Thumb" personal finance column for The Wall Street Journal and was part of the startup team at the paper's Personal Journal section. His book The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money was an instant New York Times and Wall Street Journal bestseller when it was released in 2015. (It is also referenced and listed as suggested reading within my book for parents, The Art of Allowance: A Short, Practical Guide to Raising Money-Smart, Money-Empowered Kids.) Ron's newest book, The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Roadmap for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make, is now available. I am a fan of Ron and his work, and I hope you will be too after this illuminating conversation.

How does "noise" pose a threat to our children's futures? On this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, Dr. Robert Reiher offers insight into the concept of "noise" and explains its relationship to cognitive development, marketing and self-control. From a background of over forty-five years of product and program development as well as Media, Developmental and Educational Psychology, Rob has integrated neuroscience, consciousness research and personal development into a strategic and practical framework for understanding how to live more Choice-Fully in a world of increasing "noise" and uncertainty. After several years of working in the context of commercial product and program development, Rob, frustrated with the lack of concern for the integration of human developmental dimensions into product development, divorced himself from this context to shine a light on the topic of Choice-Fullness in the accelerating Culture of Noise as well as to create a new and integrated approach to self-improvement and the development of Choice-Full products and programs. Rob is the co-author of What Kids Buy and Why and Kidnapped: How Irresponsible Marketers Are Stealing the Minds of Your Children. He is currently completing the book FutureWise: The Challenge of Choice in the Culture of Noise.

Does the tried-and-true three-jar system have room for two additions? Robin Taub makes the case for "Earn" and "Invest" to join the traditional "Share," "Save" and "Spend Smart" jars during this episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast. Robin is a financial writer, speaker and consultant. A Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA, CA) by training, Robin is also the best-selling author of Raising Money-Smart Kids: How to Teach Your Kids about Money While Learning a Few Things Yourself, a book that gives parents the information and skills they need to teach their kids about money. Robin has held professional positions in both audit and taxation at two of Canada's largest accounting firms, and spent five years in the complex world of Derivatives Marketing at Citibank Canada. She is also passionate about improving opportunities for women CPAs to advance into positions of leadership. From 2008 until 2017, she was a member, and then Chair, of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada's Women's Leadership Council. A proponent of lifelong learning, Robin also participated in the Canadian Board Diversity Council's Director Education Program. She has two mostly money-smart kids and lives in Toronto.

Is it possible to protect our kids from rampant consumerism in a social media age? Josh Golin, now Executive Director of the Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood (CCFC), has many recommendations to protect kids from both the obvious and subtle pitfalls of materialism and social media. Josh found his calling as a CCFC intern in 2003 and has been with the organization ever since. Most recently, as Associate Director, he was organizing campaigns and developing communications strategies. Josh has appeared on Today, NPR and Fox & Friends, and he has been quoted in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post. His writings on the commercialization of childhood have appeared in many outlets as well. He and his wife, Jennifer, are doing their best to raise their daughter, Clara, commercial-free.

Just how strong is the relationship between a person's physical and financial health? Dr. Barbara O'Neill will gladly fill you in. Barbara is a Certified Financial Planner as well as the owner and CEO of Money Talk: Financial Planning Seminars and Publications, an outlet through which she writes, speaks and reviews content about personal finance. A Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Rutgers University, Barbara has written more than 160 articles for academic publications as well as received over 35 national awards and more than $1.2 million in grants to support her research and financial education programs. She is also a past president of the Association for Financial Counseling & Planning Education (AFCPE), a recipient of the AFCPE Distinguished Fellow Award and a Next Gen Personal Finance fellow.

Ashley Whillans is my first returning guest! Ashley is a self-described "time nerd" and an Assistant Professor at the Harvard Business School in Negotiations, Organizations and Markets. She has a forthcoming book, Time Smart — How to Reclaim Your Time and Live a Happier Life, that will feature prominently in our discussion.   Ashley received her Ph.D. in Social Psychology from the University of British Columbia and was named a Rising Star of Behavioral Science. Her research, which focuses on understanding how the daily and long-term decisions that people make about time and money (in their personal lives, relationships and workplaces) impact well-being, has been published in leading academic journals as well as The New York Times, The Economist and The Los Angeles Times, among others.