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Five Things About Money We Should All Learn in Kindergarten

I don’t talk about money a lot, and I certainly don’t claim to be a financial expert. However, as someone who believes in whole-person well-being, I know that finding fulfillment in our personal finances is something we all need to pay attention to.

From an early age, our beliefs and behaviors around money take shape. That’s why the lessons we learn about money should start in Kindergarten and serve as guiding principles throughout our lives. 

Here are five fundamental truths that stand the test of time:

1. That Money Tree? It Doesn’t Exist.
   

   If money grew on trees, imagine how boring the landscape would be—miles and miles of nothing but money trees! No beauty, no variety, just endless cash. The saying “money doesn’t grow on trees” is a reminder that wealth doesn’t come easy. It takes work, effort, and discipline to earn money. And that’s not a bad thing. As humans, we often crave ease, but hard work builds character—and character is far more valuable than money.

   So the next time you find yourself wishing for a money tree, remember this: while it doesn’t exist, the roots of your character—built through dedication and persistence—will take you much further.

2. Saving is Good. Spending Requires Wisdom.
   

   Picture a caveman explaining this principle: “Savings good. Spending bad.” It’s simple, right? While spending isn’t inherently bad, reckless spending can be dangerous. In today’s world, we don’t always save for what we want—we simply swipe a magic plastic card and poof, we have it. But the habit of saving before spending builds discipline and financial security.

   The lesson? Spend wisely, save intentionally, and teach these principles early to form a healthy lifelong relationship with money.

3. It’s Not About Suzie’s Cool Bike.
   

   One of the Ten Commandments warns us not to covet our neighbor’s possessions—and yet, we do it from childhood. The shiny new bike Suzie got? The latest gadget your coworker flaunts? The bigger house, the nicer car, the fancier vacations—it never stops.

   But here’s the truth: If we define ourselves by what we own, we’ll always feel like we’re missing something. True worth isn’t measured by material things. Instead, it’s found in who we are—our character, our kindness, and the impact we make.

   So rather than focusing on how big the house is, let’s focus on how big the heart is.

4. The Joneses May Not Be That Happy.
   

   We often assume that people with more money have it all. But if you take a closer look, you might find that’s not the case. Sometimes, wealth can be a distraction—pulling people away from what truly matters.

   Those who’ve been on mission trips to third-world countries see this truth firsthand. They witness joy in the simplest things—a child playing with a stick and a wheel, families finding happiness in each other rather than in things.

   Money itself isn’t the problem. Many wealthy people live happy, fulfilled lives. But the difference is—they don’t let money define their happiness. They understand that money is a tool, not a measure of success.

5. Money is Your Friend—Treat it That Way.
   

   A healthy friendship requires effort, care, generosity, and gratitude. Our relationship with money should be the same. If we nurture it wisely, money will work for us—helping us reach our goals and create the life we envision.But just like friendships, money requires respect. If we neglect it, take it for granted, or misuse it, it won’t support us in return.

The habits we form around money start young, and they shape the adults we become. When we teach kids to be wise with money, we raise adults with strong character. And when we focus on financial well-being through core principles, we create a life of true abundance.

Because in the end, a wealthy life isn’t about what’s in our bank account—it’s about how we live from the inside out.