money lessons for kids

Entrepreneurial Family: What We Talk About Around the Dinner Table

Enterprise For KidsTeam Cathy and Trevor's Stories, Family Enterprise Stories, Jai's Stories, Kaitlin's (Kat) Stories, Our Enterprising Kids Today , , , , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment
Kaitlin, Jai, Flynn, Amber and Tully relaxing by the sea on Cocos Islands as part of an entrepreneurial family story

An entrepreneurial family does not always teach enterprise through formal lessons. Sometimes the most powerful learning happens around the dinner table.

In our family, dinner often began with gratitude, a few stories from the day, and a celebration of what people had achieved. But quite often, the conversation would shift into business, money, social media, investing, websites, ideas and opportunities.

Flynn developing photography and filmmaking skills as part of an entrepreneurial family story
Film making and photography helped Flynn build confidence, creativity and a social media following.

Editor’s note: This article was originally written during an earlier stage of our family’s Enterprise for Kids journey and has been refreshed with updated formatting, links and reflections. Some examples are historical, but the bigger lesson is still very relevant: children learn a great deal from the conversations, questions and opportunities they grow up around.

What Does an Entrepreneurial Family Talk About?

What do you think the Howitts talk about around the dinner table?

It always begins with each member of the family sharing a gratitude. Usually the events of the day are told, small wins are noticed, and achievements are celebrated. But what often happens next is that topics of business, enterprise, finance and investing begin to govern the conversation.

That might sound unusual, but for us it became part of family life. We were not trying to lecture the children. We were simply talking openly about ideas, opportunities, risks, mistakes and what people were learning.

This is one of the quiet strengths of an entrepreneurial family. Children begin to hear the language of possibility. They hear adults and siblings talk about ideas, value, money, creativity, customers, digital skills and problem-solving. Over time, those conversations can shape the way children see the world.

Some of the topics around our family table have included social media opportunities, digital assets, eCommerce and online business. Let’s look at how these conversations can present opportunities for kids and teens to think more entrepreneurially.

How Social Media Became a Learning Opportunity

Our older children, Kaitlin, Jai, Flynn and Amber, all discovered social media when they were in their mid-teens. It started with Facebook, then Instagram, and later platforms such as TikTok and Snapchat.

They learned how to grow a real following by posting regular, quality content about their lives, interests and adventures. It probably helped that we were living on a tropical island atoll in the middle of the Indian Ocean. Photos and videos from Cocos Islands always looked pretty fabulous, and those early creative skills helped shape things like Flynn’s photography and creative work.

Kaitlin creating inspirational workshops and enterprise opportunities through social media and connection
Creating workshops and connecting with people became part of Kaitlin’s enterprise journey.

As their following grew, so did their opportunities for enterprise. It began with simple things like shoutouts. Other people or companies would pay them to mention a product, page or service in a post. This helped those people grow their followers or promote what they were offering, and our enterprising kids were happy for the cash.

Next came real products. Companies sent clothing, watches, surf gear and jewellery for them to wear and share on their accounts. The kids were able to keep the gear, and in some cases they were also paid for the promotion.

Looking back, this was an early lesson in digital entrepreneurship. The children were learning that attention, trust, creativity and consistency could create opportunities. They were also learning that a following is not just about numbers. It is about connection, value and communication.

Turning Digital Skills Into Real Business

As time went by and their social media followings grew, their creative ideas began to grow as well. Bigger opportunities started to appear.

Jai beginning his digital enterprise journey from his bedroom as part of an entrepreneurial family
Jai building digital skills from his bedroom in the early days of his enterprise journey.

Kaitlin, along with Tully, began building multiple streams of income using social media, connection and online platforms. Their work included coaching, network marketing and online courses.

Jai took a few years to build momentum, but his early interest in social media and content creation eventually became a real business path. He began creating content for clients and using his digital skills to generate leads and opportunities.

That is one of the things I find interesting as a parent. The small things children play with, practise and explore as teenagers can become the early foundations for future work.

Jai standing in his warehouse after growing his digital content and media business
Jai’s early digital interests eventually grew into real business opportunities.

An entrepreneurial family does not need to have all the answers. What matters is creating an environment where children are allowed to explore ideas, test things, ask questions and see real examples of enterprise in action.

That connects closely with our broader reflections on how to raise entrepreneurial kids. Children do not only need theory. They need conversations, experiments, encouragement and real-world opportunities.

Talking About Crypto and Digital Assets Carefully

Another topic that entered our family conversations was crypto. You would have heard about Bitcoin, but many people still do not fully understand what it is, how it works, or why people are interested in it.

For our family, the useful part of the conversation was not “everyone should buy crypto”. It was the opportunity to talk about technology, risk, research, hype, long-term thinking and the difference between speculation and investing.

Important note: This section is not financial advice. Crypto assets are volatile and risky. This article is simply reflecting on how one family used the topic as a learning conversation about technology, money and decision-making.

In simple terms, Bitcoin is a digital asset built on blockchain technology. It was created in 2008 and has a limited supply. People are interested in it for many reasons, including decentralisation, borderless transactions, digital scarcity and the potential of blockchain technology.

But the more important family lesson was this: children and teens need to learn how to think, not just what to buy.

When topics like crypto come up, parents can ask useful questions:

  • What problem is this technology trying to solve?
  • Who benefits if people buy into it?
  • What could go wrong?
  • Is this investing, speculation, gambling or learning?
  • What would proper research look like?
  • How much risk is too much?

Those are powerful dinner table questions. They help children think about risk, evidence, emotions and decision-making. That is far more valuable than simply telling them something is good or bad.

This also links with our article on financial education for kids, where we explore how children can begin to think about assets, liabilities and wiser money choices.

eCommerce and Website Building at Home

Another topic we explored as a family was eCommerce and website building. We were learning how websites could be built, improved, monetised and sometimes bought or sold as digital assets.

Websites can be monetised in many ways. Some common methods include affiliate marketing, advertising, directory listings, services, digital products and online courses.

For enterprising kids and teens, the bigger lesson is not that every child should rush out and build a website. The lesson is that digital skills matter.

When a young person learns how websites work, they begin to understand:

  • how online businesses attract attention
  • how content can create value
  • how products and services are sold online
  • how audiences are built
  • how digital assets can be improved over time
  • how creativity, writing, design and technology can work together

At the time of the original article, some of the younger Howitt kids were building websites. Amber had started a site about sustainable period products. Chayse had bought a site called Baby Client and was working on improving it. Other projects were still a work in progress.

Some of those early projects worked. Some did not. But every one of them created learning.

That is the value of an entrepreneurial family. The goal is not to make every child successful at every idea. The goal is to build initiative, curiosity, problem-solving and the courage to keep learning.

What Parents Can Learn From an Entrepreneurial Family

Our dinner table conversations may be a little different to the average family. We gain inspiration from one another through these conversations and through mentors who support us on our entrepreneurial journeys.

We are building skills, gaining knowledge, creating assets and, most of all, strengthening a mindset for enterprise.

If you want to encourage more enterprise in your own family, you do not need to start with a big business idea. Start with better conversations.

You might ask your children:

  • What problem did you notice today?
  • What could make that easier, better or more useful?
  • What skill would you like to learn?
  • What do people already ask you for help with?
  • What could you create, sell, improve or share?
  • What does this teach us about money, value or responsibility?

Those questions help children see the world differently. They begin to notice opportunity. They begin to understand value. They begin to realise that enterprise is not just something adults do. It is a way of thinking.

Key takeaway: An entrepreneurial family can use everyday conversations about business, money, digital skills, investing and ideas to help children build confidence, curiosity and real-world enterprise. The dinner table can become one of the most powerful classrooms in the home.

Enterprise for Kids Team: We Are Back

Enterprise For KidsTeam Cathy and Trevor's Stories, Family Enterprise Stories, Website Updates , , , , , , , , , , , 0 Comment
The Enterprise for Kids team family photo

Yes, the Enterprise for Kids team is still here!

Hello friends and followers,

Would you believe it has been nearly four years since our last post?

Our “little” kids are not so little anymore. Kaitlin and Jai are 20 and 18 and have left school. Flynn and Amber are 16 and 14 and are studying at high school, and our three babies — Kit, Chayse and Akaisha — are 10, 8 and 5.

Enterprise for Kids team photo of the Howitt family
The Enterprise for Kids team — the Howitt family, still learning, growing and continuing their entrepreneurial journey.

The Howitt clan household is intact and, would you believe it, still on our entrepreneurial journey.

There is so much to catch up on with our family’s activities. Too much for one small update post.

Over time, we will revisit each of our children and look at what they have been doing and what they have learnt. We will share their successes, but we will also share the tough lessons, because that is where so much of the real learning happens.

We are also excited to share our latest enterprising projects and continue building this collection of real family stories about children learning enterprise, money, responsibility, creativity and confidence.

This has always been at the heart of Enterprise for Kids. We believe children learn a great deal through real conversations, small projects, family enterprise, money lessons and opportunities to have a go. That links closely with the kind of everyday money conversations encouraged by MoneySmart’s guide to teaching kids about money.

So stay tuned for the next chapter in the Howitt clan’s entrepreneurial journey.

You might enjoy looking back at little Amber from five years ago when she embarked on her Money Bunny enterprising project.

Key takeaway: The Enterprise for Kids team is back. Our children are growing, our family is still learning, and the next chapter of our entrepreneurial journey is ready to unfold.

Michael Clouse: How to Balance Money and Time

Enterprise For KidsTeam Mindset, Confidence & Leadership, Money Lessons for Kids , , , , , , , , ,
Cathy and Trevor with Michael Clouse after learning leadership lessons about money and time

Michael Clouse gave us a powerful reminder that most people are busy etching out a living, while only a handful of people are intentionally designing a life.

That idea stayed with us because it is exactly the kind of thinking we want our children to see. If we can learn to think differently about time, money, leadership and choices, then our children have another model for designing their own pathway in life.

Michael Clouse as an inspiration for leadership lessons for kids
Michael Clouse shared powerful ideas about leadership, time, money and designing a life.

Michael Clouse and the Choice to Design a Life

“Most people are etching out a living and only a handful of people are designing a life.”

This is such a powerful statement, and one we often do not take the time to consider carefully. After many years of etching out a living, we are finally ready to design a life for ourselves and our children.

When we can do that, our children have another example in front of them. They can begin to see that life does not have to be only about earning money, paying bills and following the same pathway as everyone else. They can begin to make more informed choices about their own future.

We were fortunate to hear Michael Clouse speak at the annual Isagenix Convention on the Gold Coast. Michael gave an excellent talk about leadership, time, money and the thinking behind success.

Cathy and Trevor with Michael Clouse after learning leadership lessons about money and time
Here we are with Michael Clouse after hearing his leadership message.

Who Is Michael Clouse?

Michael Clouse is a professional network marketer, author, trainer and speaker. His official website describes his long career in network marketing, along with his books, articles, videos and audio training programs. You can learn more through Michael Clouse’s official website.

Before I share the message we took from his talk, I want to introduce why Michael made such an impression on us.

Michael came from a disadvantaged home, yet managed to become highly successful. Early in his career, he studied successful network marketers around the world and modelled himself on their habits, thinking and leadership principles.

That alone is a valuable lesson for our children. Success often leaves clues. If children can learn to observe people who are already achieving something worthwhile, they can begin to notice the habits, values and decisions behind that success.

Michael Clouse on Balancing Money and Time

One of the strongest ideas Michael Clouse shared was the importance of balancing money and time.

Most people give up time in order to earn money. Throughout their lives, they work hard in a job or small business to bring home the bacon. As a result, they may slowly increase their money, but they often become time poor. Later in life, they may finally have more time, but their income can drop.

People will argue that they have little choice. They have families to raise, mortgages to pay and expenses to cover. They need to work. In many ways, this is true.

But from an entrepreneurial point of view, it is still worth asking a bigger question:

How can we create more freedom with both time and money?

Wealthy people often create or buy back time. This might mean paying someone to clean the house, do the accounts, cook meals or help with tasks that free them to spend more time with the people they love and the experiences they value.

This is not just a money lesson. It is a life lesson.

Leadership Lessons for Kids from Michael Clouse

The reason this message matters for Enterprise for Kids is not because every child should become a network marketer. It matters because children need to know there are many possible pathways in life.

They can choose a job. They can build a business. They can create a product. They can offer a service. They can invest. They can become leaders. They can learn from mentors. They can think carefully about the kind of life they want to design.

Michael Clouse challenged us to think about leadership, not just income. Leadership is about responsibility, commitment, communication, consistency and helping others grow.

These are lessons children can begin learning long before they become adults.

Network Marketing Success Principles

Michael Clouse Future Choice book about network marketing and career options
Future Choice by Michael Clouse explores network marketing as one possible career path.

According to Michael, network marketing was one possible solution to the time-money balance because it allowed people to build a business through systems, tools, relationships and leadership.

For us, the bigger lesson was not just about one business model. It was about studying success principles and then asking which of those principles our children could learn from.

Michael reminded us of a simple idea:

Success leaves clues.

Here are some of the success principles we took from his talk.

Get Into the Game and Stay in the Game

Figure out what is in it for you, and then commit. You will meet challenges and have to overcome barriers. Being fully committed helps carry you through the difficult parts.

This applies to children as much as adults. Whether they are learning an instrument, building a small enterprise, playing sport or developing a new skill, they need to learn that success usually requires staying in the game long enough to improve.

Focus on the Fundamentals

With a networking business, Michael explained that the fundamentals include connecting with people, presenting to people, and teaching others how to run their business when they say yes.

For children, we can translate this into simple leadership lessons:

  • Learn how to talk with people.
  • Learn how to explain your idea clearly.
  • Learn how to help others understand what to do next.
  • Learn how to keep improving your skills.

Keep the Main Thing the Main Thing

Michael’s phrase “Keep the main thing the main thing” is a good one for adults and children alike.

It means sticking to the system that works. It means not being distracted by every new idea. It means asking, “What is the most important thing I need to do today?”

In business, that might mean telling your story, using the tools provided, connecting with people and becoming better tomorrow than you were yesterday.

For children, it might mean finishing the project, practising the skill, serving the customer, asking for feedback, or following through on the plan they started.

Recognise Effort and Progress

Lynn Hagedorn as an example of network marketing success mentioned in Michael Clouse leadership lessons
Lynn Hagedorn was shared as an example of what can happen when strong systems, leadership and commitment come together.

Recognition was another important part of Michael’s leadership message.

Be sincere and recognise every accomplishment, both publicly and privately. Recognise yourself, the company and your team.

One of the lines that stood out was:

“Babies cry for it and men die from it.”

Praise and recognition matter. Children need to know that their effort has been seen. They need to experience the confidence that comes from being encouraged, acknowledged and supported.

Michael Clouse teaches and uses these simple principles. He built successful networking businesses and mentored others who went on to create strong results of their own. The example of Lynn Hagedorn shows what can happen when commitment, systems, belief and leadership come together.

Michael Clouse and Career Choices for Teenagers

Kaitlin, our eldest daughter, came along to hear Michael speak as well. We figured it was a tremendous opportunity for her to learn about success from a successful person.

Network marketing may or may not become part of her future. That is not really the point.

The point is that young people benefit from seeing different possibilities. They need to know about jobs, business, leadership, enterprise, investment, creativity and service. They need to understand that their future can include more than one pathway.

It simply broadens the choices a young person has.

This is why we believe exposing children and teenagers to strong leadership ideas is so valuable. It helps them think. It helps them question. It helps them notice the difference between simply earning a living and designing a life.

Michael Clouse, Time Freedom and Money Lessons for Kids

For us, the lasting lesson from Michael Clouse was not just about network marketing. It was about time freedom, leadership, contribution and being intentional.

Our children are watching how we live. They are watching how we work. They are watching whether we are exhausted, inspired, trapped, free, generous, stressed or purposeful.

If we want them to make strong choices later in life, we need to let them see different possibilities now.

That is why this message belongs on Enterprise for Kids. It is part of the wider conversation about raising entrepreneurial kids who can think clearly about money, time, leadership and the kind of life they want to create.

Key Takeaway: Help Children Think Beyond Earning a Living

Key takeaway: Michael Clouse challenged us to think about designing a life, not just earning a living. For children and teenagers, that message can open up powerful conversations about leadership, money, time freedom, career choices and entrepreneurial thinking.

Where to Next?

What do you think? Are we teaching children only how to earn a living, or are we helping them imagine how to design a life?

Business Plan Ideas for Students: A Success Formula Kids Can Learn

Enterprise For KidsTeam Kids Business Ideas, Mindset, Confidence & Leadership , , , , , , , , , , 2 Comments
Chayse giving thumbs up for business plan ideas for students

Business plan ideas for students do not need to begin with a complicated document, a bank loan or a grown-up business plan. Sometimes they can begin with a simple formula children can understand and apply to a real enterprise project.

In our previous post, we shared Sean Rasmussen’s teachings around developing a healthy self-image. This article follows on from that discussion as we look at one of his valuable lessons about success in business: a simple formula that can help children understand training, tools, teamwork, time and results.

Business plan ideas for students shown with a success baby image
A simple success formula can help children understand business planning, action and results.

Business Plan Ideas for Students: A Simple Success Formula

How would you like to know Sean Rasmussen’s business success formula?

Teaching these understandings to your children can help set them on the path to becoming successful, confident and practical young entrepreneurs. The point is not to make business complicated. The point is to give children a way to understand how effort, systems and support work together.

Sean introduced a simple formula that can help produce results in business:

(Training + Tools + Team) × Time = Results

Business success formula for students learning training tools team time and results
Sean Rasmussen’s simple formula: Training + Tools + Team × Time = Results.

For us, this became one of the clearest business plan ideas for students because it turned business planning into something practical: learn the system, use the right tools, build a team, give it time and then measure the results.

This formula can fit many business models, whether it is a conventional business, an internet-based business, a family enterprise project or a small student business idea. It also fits with what we have read about Robert Kiyosaki and his “business builder” model, where the aim is to build a business system rather than simply create another job for yourself.

In our blog about David Wood, we discovered that he also used this kind of formula for business success and taught how it could apply to network marketing.

For Enterprise for Kids, the real value is this: children can use the same basic thinking when they start small. A child’s enterprise might be honey, lolly bags, artwork, dog walking, plant sales or a market stall. The business may be small, but the planning lessons can be very real.

Why Business Plan Ideas for Students Need a Formula

Students often hear the word “business plan” and imagine something long, formal and boring. But business plan ideas for students can be much simpler than that.

A good plan helps answer practical questions:

  • What am I trying to create or sell?
  • What training or knowledge do I need?
  • What tools will help me do it properly?
  • Who can be part of my team?
  • How much time will I need to put in?
  • What result am I aiming for?

The Australian Government’s business.gov.au guidance explains that a business plan can help give direction, define objectives, map out goals and identify risks. That is a useful idea for students too, even if their first “business plan” is simple and practical. Read more about developing a business plan here.

When children learn to think this way, they are not just playing business. They are learning how ideas become action.

Business builder formula connected to student enterprise and business planning
A business system becomes stronger when training, tools, team and time work together.

Business Plan Ideas for Students: The Success Formula Explained

Here is how Sean Rasmussen’s formula can be explained in a way children and teenagers can understand.

Training

Training means learning what you need to know. That might mean attending a boot camp, joining a program, finding a mentor, watching someone with experience, asking questions, reading books or studying how a business system works.

For students, training might be as simple as learning how to make a product properly, how to speak to customers, how to calculate costs, or how to display a stall so people notice it.

Tools

Tools are the things that help the business work better. In some businesses, the tools might be websites, templates, software, equipment, signs, packaging or scripts. In a child’s enterprise, the tools might be jars, labels, an extractor, a notebook, a calculator, a table, a sign or a money tin.

Sean and David Wood both made the same point in different ways: use the tools that work. Don’t waste all your energy trying to reinvent everything from scratch.

Team

Team means the people who help the business work. In internet marketing, that might include virtual assistants, writers, marketers and technical people. In network marketing, it might include mentors, upline support and business partners.

For children, a team may be much simpler. It might be a grandparent with expertise, a parent who can supervise, a sibling who can help, a friend who can bottle honey, or someone willing to sell the product on consignment.

Time

Time means giving the business enough focused effort to get results.

Many businesses require a lot of effort in the beginning before the rewards appear. This is a very important lesson for children. They need to understand that success is not usually instant. They may need to practise, prepare, improve, sell, try again and keep going.

Results

Results are what come from the combination of training, tools, team and time. In a child’s enterprise, results might include profit, confidence, better communication, practical money lessons, self-belief or a stronger understanding of how business works.

When students can see the connection between effort and results, business becomes much easier to understand.

Teaching Entrepreneurship to Kids With Business Plan Ideas for Students

The business success formula can easily be taught to kids. Firstly, help them get started with an enterprise so they can learn from experience.

For example, our son Flynn learned a huge amount about beekeeping, harvesting and processing honey, bottling it, marketing it and selling it.

Flynn extracting honey as an example of business plan ideas for students
Flynn’s honey enterprise helped him learn how a business formula works in real life.
Flynn with his honey product as a student business idea
Flynn with his honey product after putting training, tools, team and time into action.

Next, teach children how they can make their business easier by using the right tools. In Flynn’s case, this meant borrowing the right extractor equipment and using expert advice from his Grandad. That saved him time and helped him do the job properly.

Then investigate ways of putting a team together to make the process less work and more profitable. Flynn used friends to help bottle the honey. He had people selling his honey on consignment, and he found people who could take his honey to market.

He was not doing all the work himself, and that is one of the important lessons inside this business plan idea for students: a business is stronger when the right people and tools are involved.

Business Plan Ideas for Students and Delayed Gratification

One of the biggest lessons children can learn from enterprise is delayed gratification.

Delayed gratification means putting in the hard yards now for a financial reward later. Once children see a result in their wallet or purse, they begin to understand the formula in a real way.

Flynn realised this through his honey business. He used his own money to buy honey and paid for what he needed to bottle and market it. He understood that he needed to make the business work if he wanted to get his money back with profit.

Once he experienced a result with his first batch of honey, he became much more focused and determined with his second batch. In fact, he invested twice the capital.

That is a powerful money lesson for kids. It teaches them that business involves risk, effort, patience and responsibility.

Three Reasons People Are Not Making Money

Sean Rasmussen also pointed out three reasons why people may not be making money in their chosen enterprise. He emphasised the importance of action, intention and value.

When students use the business success formula and are also clear on action, intention and value, they are much better set up to make progress in a business or enterprise project.

Action

Action is obvious, but it is often where people get stuck.

Take action straight away whenever an idea or opportunity presents itself. As soon as an idea appears, build upon it. Avoid killing the idea with too many “what ifs” before it has even had a chance to grow.

For children, this might mean making the first batch, creating the sign, asking the first customer, setting up the stall, writing down the costs or testing the idea with family and friends.

Intention

To illustrate the point about intention, Sean had us write on a small card what our intent was for the three days at boot camp, then carry the card with us in our pocket.

The idea was to think about our intent and hold it clearly without trying to force the answer or outcome. Amazingly, by the end of the three days, many of the answers to our intentions had appeared.

Intention can also be aligned with having a plan. For students, it might sound like:

  • I intend to sell ten jars of honey this weekend.
  • I intend to learn how to speak confidently to customers.
  • I intend to make enough profit to pay back my costs.
  • I intend to learn from this project, even if everything does not go perfectly.

Value

Sean referred to value as being connected to your highest values. He explained that your highest values dictate what you focus on.

So it is crucial to ensure that what you want — whether it is health, money, family, contribution, freedom or creativity — is high enough on your value list, otherwise it is unlikely to receive your best energy.

Our Money Mastery mentor, Paul Counsel, also helped us understand this distinction. For us, we struggled with putting business ahead of family as our highest value. Our kids have always been our highest value, and consequently they take up our time and energy.

So what we learned was that we needed to align business with our highest value of family. That is part of why this blog exists. Enterprise for Kids allows us to grow our own entrepreneurial mindset while also helping our children learn about business, money, confidence and opportunity.

Business Plan Ideas for Students Should Connect to Values

This is an important point for parents and teachers.

Business plan ideas for students should not only be about making money. They should also connect to what children value. A child who loves animals might enjoy a pet-sitting idea. A child who loves art might create portraits or handmade cards. A child who loves cooking might sell biscuits or preserves with family support. A child who loves nature might grow plants or make garden products.

When business connects to values, children are more likely to stay interested, take ownership and learn deeply from the experience.

That is the heart of teaching entrepreneurship to kids. We are not just teaching them to sell things. We are teaching them to think, plan, act, serve, learn and grow.

Flynn celebrating his business success after applying a business success formula
Flynn celebrating the results of his honey enterprise.

Key Takeaway: Business Plan Ideas for Students Can Start Simple

Key takeaway: Business plan ideas for students can begin with a simple formula: training, tools, team and time lead to results. When children apply this to real enterprise projects, they learn business planning, delayed gratification, action, intention, value and money lessons in a practical way.

Where to Next?

What business plan ideas for students have you tried with your children, class or family enterprise project? We would love to hear how young people are learning through real enterprise.

Plan to Buy Gold and Silver!

Enterprise For KidsTeam Money Lessons for Kids, Raising Entrepreneurial Kids , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments
Kids holding large display gold nuggets outside the Perth Mint while learning about buying Perth Mint coins

Buy Perth Mint coins may sound like an unusual money lesson for kids, but for our family it became a practical way to talk about planning, saving, assets, liabilities and long-term thinking.

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Most people have a plan for how to make money, but not always a plan for what to do with that money once they earn it. This became an important conversation in our family as our children started earning money through their own little enterprises.

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Kids outside the Perth Mint learning how to buy Perth Mint coins and understand assets
A visit to the Perth Mint became a real-world money lesson about assets, saving and planning ahead.

Buy Perth Mint Coins: A Money Lesson for Kids

“Failing to plan is planning to fail!” — Robert Kiyosaki

Robert Kiyosaki points out that many people work hard to earn money, but do not have a clear plan for what to do with it. Often, those same people can still end up feeling short of money, even when they earn more.

That idea really made us think. Our own children were busy planning their enterprises and successfully making money. They had plans to buy things they wanted, such as Nerf guns, iPods, computers and other exciting items, but they did not yet have much of a plan to buy assets.

So we decided it was time to have a family conversation about planning what to do with earned money. The idea to buy Perth Mint coins gave us one very practical way to make that conversation real.

Kids money plan showing how children can plan for assets liabilities and saving
Kids need a simple plan for what to do with their money once they earn it.

Why Kids Need a Money Plan Before They Buy Perth Mint Coins

Kids need an education on how to plan what to do with their money when they earn it. It is not enough to teach children how to make money. They also need to learn how to save, give, spend wisely and think about assets.

Kiyosaki explains the difference between spending money on things that take money away from you and spending money on things that can hold or grow value over time.

The simple lesson for kids is this:

  • Liabilities are things we buy that usually lose value or cost us more money.
  • Assets are things that may hold value, grow in value, or help create income over time.

We had already written about our family conversations around assets and liabilities. You can read that article here: Financial Education for Kids: Teaching Assets and Liabilities.

Once the idea of assets and liabilities was explained to our kids, they could begin to make a more thoughtful money plan. That plan included money for things they wanted, money for giving, and money for buying assets.

Buy Perth Mint Coins as a Real-World Asset Lesson

When children are learning about assets, it helps if the lesson is concrete. Shares, property and business systems can be a bit abstract for young children, but coins are real. They can be held, seen, weighed and discussed.

That is why the idea to buy Perth Mint coins became such an interesting family money lesson. It gave us a way to talk about gold, silver, assets, inflation and long-term thinking in a way the kids could actually picture.

To be clear, this is not financial advice. Families need to do their own research, understand the risks, and make decisions based on their own circumstances. MoneySmart explains that an investing plan should consider your goals, timeframe and risk tolerance, and that diversification helps reduce risk by spreading money across different investments.

For us, the key lesson was not “everyone should buy gold or silver.” The key lesson was that children can learn to think differently about money.

Gold and Silver as One Example of an Asset

Subscribers to this blog may remember that we hosted a Gold and Silver Seminar in Bunbury. Our presenter, Andrew Smith, was a mining engineer, investor and businessman who had been closely involved with the world of gold and silver mining for many years.

He gave several reasons why gold and silver may be worth considering as long-term assets. More importantly for our kids, he gave us some great conversation starters about money, inflation and planning.

First gold coin from Lydia used in a kids money lesson about gold and assets
Gold Coin from Lydia.
Aussie gold coin used to teach kids about assets and long-term money planning
Aussie Gold 2012 Coin.

Gold and silver have been recognised around the world as stores of value for a very long time. Unlike paper currencies, which can lose buying power over time through inflation, precious metals are often discussed as a possible hedge against currency devaluation.

That became an interesting discussion point with the kids. We were not trying to turn them into investment experts. We were simply helping them understand that money has buying power, and buying power can change over time.

The Meat Pie Indicator: Inflation for Kids

Andrew explained inflation using what he called the “Meat Pie Indicator”.

Back in 1970, you could buy a meat pie for around 40 cents. Many years later, the same sort of pie might cost several dollars. That simple comparison helped the kids see that the dollar does not always buy the same amount over time.

That is a very practical way to explain inflation for kids. Rather than starting with economics, you start with something simple: a meat pie.

The money lesson is this:

  • If prices rise, the same amount of cash buys less.
  • If children only save cash and spend on liabilities, they may not build long-term value.
  • If children learn to plan, save and buy assets, they begin to think differently.

This was one of the reasons gold and silver became part of our conversation. It was not just about precious metals. It was about teaching the kids to ask, “What happens to my money over time?”

Buy Perth Mint Coins: Why the Perth Mint Made the Lesson Real

The Perth Mint gave this lesson a real-world connection. Instead of only talking about gold and silver in theory, the kids could see the building, look at coins and bullion, and understand that money can be connected to history, value and planning.

The Perth Mint sells gold, silver and platinum bullion coins, minted bars and cast bars in a variety of sizes. That makes it a useful place for families to explore the idea of precious metals as one possible asset class. You can visit the official Perth Mint bullion page to learn more.

For children, silver may be easier to understand than gold because the price point can be more manageable. A child may not be able to buy a gold coin, but they may be able to save toward a small silver coin or bar.

Again, the aim is not to pressure children into buying precious metals. The aim is to teach them to think:

  • What am I doing with the money I earn?
  • Am I spending everything?
  • Am I saving some?
  • Am I giving some?
  • Am I learning to buy assets?

For our family, the decision to buy Perth Mint coins was really a doorway into better conversations about money, choices and long-term thinking.

Buy Perth Mint Coins, But Teach the Bigger Money Lesson

The keyword may be buy Perth Mint coins, but the bigger lesson is not only about coins. It is about money planning.

Our children needed to understand that earning money through enterprise was only the beginning. Once they had money in their hands, they needed to make decisions. Would they spend it all? Would they save some? Would they give some? Would they set aside money for assets?

This is where a simple three-part money plan can help children.

1. Money for spending

Children still need to enjoy the reward of their work. Buying something they have worked for can be a powerful lesson in effort and reward.

2. Money for assets

This is the part that helps children think long term. Assets might include precious metals, shares, a small business asset, tools for their enterprise, or another age-appropriate example that helps them understand value.

3. Money for giving

Giving helps children connect money with generosity. In our family, this was important because we wanted enterprise to build character, not just cash.

Gold, Silver and Long-Term Thinking

During the seminar, we also discussed why gold and silver can attract long-term interest. People use them for jewellery, coins, bullion, technology and industry. Gold and silver are also often discussed during times when people are concerned about inflation, currencies or financial uncertainty.

These ideas can become quite complex, so for children we kept the lesson simple:

Some things we buy lose value quickly. Some things may hold value for longer.

That distinction is a powerful start.

Indian bridal jewellery used in a gold and silver money lesson for kids
Indian Bridal Jewellery.

In countries such as India and China, gold and silver have long been connected with culture, jewellery, celebrations and family wealth. That gave us another way to talk to the kids about how different cultures think about money, value and assets.

We also talked about silver being used in everyday products and technology. That helped the children see that precious metals are not only shiny objects. They can also have practical uses.

Charts, Prices and Why Children Need Context

The original version of this article included old gold and silver price charts from around 2012. They were useful at the time, but prices change constantly, so I would not want the children to focus only on old numbers.

The better lesson is to help children understand that prices move, markets change, and no asset goes up in a straight line forever.

Gold chart used to teach kids that asset prices change over time
Gold chart used as a discussion starter about changing prices.
Silver chart used in a kids money lesson about assets and price changes
Silver chart used as a discussion starter about long-term value.

That is why we also talked about diversification. Children do not need to understand the whole investment world at once, but they can begin to understand that putting every dollar into one thing may not be wise.

MoneySmart’s investing plan guidance is a useful Australian resource for families because it encourages people to set goals, understand risk, research options and think carefully before investing.

Buy Perth Mint Coins and Set Family Money Goals

The Perth Mint sells gold, silver and platinum, including coins and bullion. For our kids, the most realistic conversation was probably around silver, because gold was much more expensive.

Perth Mint building used in a money lesson about buying Perth Mint coins and assets
The Perth Mint helped make the money lesson feel real.

Our kids now had new goals. Their goals were broken into three parts:

  • a part for buying things they wanted,
  • a part for buying assets,
  • and a part for tithing or giving.

That simple structure helped them see that money does not have to disappear as soon as it is earned. Whether children eventually buy Perth Mint coins, save toward a business tool, or choose another asset later, the important lesson is that they are learning to plan.

A Four-Part Money Box for Kids

One practical tool that can help children is a money box divided into sections. Some families use jars, envelopes or labelled containers. The point is to help children physically separate their money into different purposes.

For example, children might divide their money into:

  • Spend — for things they want now.
  • Save — for bigger goals.
  • Invest — for assets or future opportunities.
  • Give — for generosity, tithing or causes they care about.
Money box for kids with sections for saving spending investing and giving
A divided money box can help children plan where their money goes.

Buy Perth Mint Coins as Part of a Bigger Financial Education

When we talk about how to buy Perth Mint coins, we are really talking about a much bigger financial education.

We are teaching children to pause before spending everything. We are teaching them to ask better questions. We are teaching them to think about the future. We are teaching them that money can be used for enjoyment, generosity and long-term goals.

The real win is not whether a child buys a silver coin, a gold coin, shares, tools for a small business or another asset later on. The real win is that they begin thinking like someone who plans.

Key Takeaway: Buy Perth Mint Coins to Teach Planning

Key takeaway: Learning how to buy Perth Mint coins can be a practical way to start a bigger family conversation about money planning, assets, liabilities, saving, giving, inflation and long-term thinking.

Where to Next?

Have you used coins, jars, money boxes or real-world experiences to teach your children about saving, giving and buying assets? We would love to hear your ideas in the comments.

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student? Amber’s Resale Enterprise

Enterprise For KidsTeam Amber's Stories, Family Enterprise Stories, Kids Business Ideas , , , , , , , , , 3 Comments
what can i sell to make money as a student Amber holding price sign

What can I sell to make money as a student? Amber’s “New From Old” enterprise is a real family example of how a young person can buy, clean, advertise and resell second-hand items for profit.

Instead of waiting for the perfect idea, Amber looked for useful items, solved simple problems for buyers and learned valuable business skills along the way.

what can i sell to make money as a student brainstorming resale ideas
Brainstorming ideas for a kids resale enterprise.

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student?

What can I sell to make money as a student? That is a question many kids and parents ask when they want a simple, practical business idea.

There are hundreds of possibilities. Yet when chatting to parents, they often tell me they would really like their kids to have a little business enterprise of their own, but they just can’t think of a good idea.

Here’s the tip: think about the problems or needs your local community has. Then ask whether a kids’ enterprise could be built around solving one of those problems.

Another angle is to consider what skill your child already has and how they could put that skill to good use.

Brainstorming What Students Can Sell

If your child is wondering, what can I sell to make money as a student?, start by brainstorming ideas on paper. Keep going until you have exhausted all possible ideas, whether or not you intend to use them.

Try asking neighbours what issues or problems they have and add these to your list.

Generally, people have time issues. That is where a business idea can begin. Not enough time to mow the lawn, clean large rubbish bins, chop wood, tend to the kids’ homework, clean windows, rake leaves, tutor younger children, pull weeds or clean the car — you get the picture.

If you are still stumped, this blog is full of real family enterprise stories and practical kids business ideas.

Amber’s “New From Old” Resale Enterprise

Amber’s “New From Old” enterprise has been going great guns right from the beginning. Her money jars are filling up, and really she hasn’t had to do much work at all.

She reached the goal she set a while back and is now preparing to take her business to another level. We’ll talk more about that in a later blog.

If you are new to our blog and haven’t yet followed Amber’s enterprise journey, you may like to start with Kids Business Ideas: Amber’s Kids Biz Program.

Amber’s resale enterprise in action:

what can i sell to make money as a student Amber resale enterprise sign
Recycling for profit
student resale business idea selling toddler ride-on toys
Toddler ride-on toys

Finding Things to Sell for Profit

Amber makes the fortnightly trip to the local Recycling and Waste Recovery Centre. It sells anything salvageable.

The guy who runs the place now knows Amber and understands that she is running her own business. Through this process, Amber has developed important skills in negotiating and connecting with a network.

When she identifies an opportunity, she confidently strikes up a deal with the Recycle Man.

Much of the stuff for sale is really not worth the effort to resell. It is a bit like looking for a gold nugget among the boulders. Over the months, Amber’s ability to pick profitable items has improved and she now has an eye for a bargain.

This is one reason the question, what can I sell to make money as a student?, is so useful. It teaches children to think carefully about value, demand and effort before spending their money.

student resale idea pet cage cleaned and sold for profit
Pet cage

Learning What Is Worth Buying

The items that can be resold are generally the ones that solve people’s problems. Pet cages, baby toys, storage items and exercise equipment are good examples.

These items need to be well presented and in good condition. Amber looks for opportunities that don’t require spending lots of time and money fixing them up.

Ideally, she buys things that just need a good clean, a lick of paint or a new set of batteries.

Amber has also learnt from her mistakes. She once bought a perfect condition four-man tent still in its new box for $10, only to discover later that it had no pegs or poles. Buying pegs and poles new would blow her costs out and leave her running at a loss.

That one was put down to experience. Does anyone have free pegs and poles?

what can i sell to make money as a student aquarium resale idea
Fish aquarium

What Can I Sell to Make Money as a Student? Research First

Sometimes Amber sees a possible opportunity but holds off buying it until she has done her research.

She works out what it will cost to repair or tidy up the item. Paint brushes, varnish, batteries, sandpaper and labour all need to be considered.

Then she looks at what others are selling similar items for online. By doing her research, Amber has a better idea of how much she can pay in order to make a reasonable profit.

For older students ready to take a business idea further, Business.gov.au has helpful information on starting a business when you’re under 18.

Writing Ads and Making Sales

Amber sells almost all her items on Buy and Sell Bunbury Facebook. She set up her own Facebook page for the sole purpose of participating in the buy-and-sell market.

She writes her own ads, uploads her own pictures and converses with customers online and on the telephone.

When a buyer arrives, Amber presents her goods and collects payment.

student selling online writing ads for resale items
Amber placing her adverts onto Buy & Sell Facebook with the gang watching on!

Real Examples of What Amber Sold

We’ve watched Amber continuously grow in confidence with her enterprise. She has found and built her own business around solving problems, using creativity and communicating with people.

Some of the items Amber acquired and on-sold for profit can be seen in the pictures on this blog.

The five outdoor toddler toys were bought for a good price. She scrubbed them, put new batteries in one, charged the battery in another and sold them all for $60.

The aquarium and pet cages just needed a clean, and she made a profit of $25.

student resale enterprise display shelves sold for profit
Display shelves

Her corner display required screwing together, and she made a profit of $20.

Her current project is a very large timber outdoor table. She paid $10 and hopes to sell it for a profit after sanding it back and varnishing it.

Amber has also been collecting succulent plants from friends. Her plan is to paint decorative ceramic pots and plant hardy succulents in them, then sell them at a market day.

What Students Can Learn from Amber’s Enterprise

This story is a practical answer to the question, what can I sell to make money as a student?

Amber’s answer was simple: find items people need, buy carefully, improve presentation, advertise clearly and communicate well with buyers.

She also talks about her goals, buying assets and gifting money in the original video clip. You can view it here: Amber reflecting on her business and goals.

Amber making a sale in her student resale enterprise
Amber making a sale!

It will be very interesting to see where her entrepreneurial journey takes her as she grows older. She loves writing, so maybe she will write a book about her journey one day.

Key takeaway: If your child is asking, “what can I sell to make money as a student?”, start with simple resale opportunities. Look for useful items, check the costs, solve a buyer’s problem and learn from each sale.

Where to Next?

If you enjoyed this family enterprise story, you may also like:

We would love to hear from you, so please leave a comment.