Newsletter

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, If your 15‑year‑old walked up to you today and said, “I want to start investing,” would you feel confident … or slightly panicked? Most thoughtful parents land somewhere in the middle. We want our kids to build wealth. We don’t want them gambling. We know time is their superpower. We’re just not always sure what the first right step is. In my latest episode of The Art of Allowance Podcast, I sit down with Laura Adams (The “Money Girl”) to…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, We’ve never had more access to financial information than we do right now. There are books, podcasts, classes, apps and entire school programs devoted to teaching money management. And yet … plenty of smart, informed adults still struggle to save consistently, avoid debt or feel confident about their financial decisions. That trend should tell us something. The problem isn’t that we don’t know enough. It’s that knowing doesn’t automatically…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I hope you enjoyed your holiday weekend. Here is your special Tuesday edition of Money-Smart Monday. A common concern I hear from parents of tweens and teens is this: “Won’t an allowance start costing me a lot more money once my kids are older?” It’s an honest worry. As kids grow, their wants get bigger—and more frequent. Shoes. Snacks out. Gifts for friends. Apps. Activities. It can feel like their allowance is just another bill layered on…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I know your brains—and inboxes—are both pretty full right now. So I’ll keep this newsletter short. Thank You First, thank you for being part of this Money-Smart Monday community. Whether you’ve just started an allowance, had one good money conversation with your kids or simply thought a little differently about money this year, I’m grateful you’re on the journey with me. A Holiday Hello Second, something fun to brighten the season: Yes, we…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I love the holiday season: the songs, the parties, the energy. But the financial noise gets loud. No surprise that impulse buys spike this time of year. (Some studies say up to 80%!) And this year, the ads started so early I saw Christmas spots in OCTOBER. Here are some ideas to help us enjoy the season amidst the noise—simple ways to reinforce those money-smart habits we’ve been helping our kids develop throughout the year. The December…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I have something fun for you this week—a conversation that genuinely stuck with me after I hit “stop” on the recording. I chatted with Karen Holland, the founder of Gifting Sense, and I think you’re really going to enjoy her perspective on helping kids actually spend smarter. You probably know The Money Mammals’ mantra by heart—“We’ll Share & Save & Spend Smart Too!” Karen’s work fits right into that last piece. So if you have tweens or…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, Twenty years ago, my wife and I were on a mission to raise money-smart kids. We searched everywhere for tools to help us. And we found … nothing. 👀 So we built something from scratch. That’s how The Money Mammals began. As we head into November, I’ve been reflecting on how the challenges that inspired The Money Mammals are just as real for today’s parents. Beware of Scammy McScamster! Our kids are growing up in a world where scams don’t look…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, With one daughter recently graduated and another just two years away from a college degree, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to help them launch—in a way that’s supportive but not smothering. (Or worse, cringey.) That’s why I invited Cameron Huddleston back for another conversation on The Art of Allowance Podcast. Cameron is in the same stage of life and brings decades of experience writing (and thinking) about money for families. Her…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I’m back from my first Chicago Marathon. While this race wasn’t a notion at the time, I understand why Frank Sinatra sang that it was “My Kind of Town.” Great course. Great crowds. Like Boston, Chicago shows up. (Better October than February! 🥶) And big thanks to my wife for being my top supporter (and photographer). Now onto your Money-Smart Monday ideas. On gambling I remember when ESPN quietly added betting lines under daily scores. One…

Money-Smart Monday with John Lanza Hello, friends, I’m back from a hiking trip to Olympic National Park, just north of Seattle, with two buddies from high school. The saying is true: You can’t make old friends. You also can’t buy the joy of standing atop Mount Storm King with those old friends while Canada Jays literally eat out of your hand. (Just don’t tell the National Park Service.) But enough illicit bird feeding. It’s time for my promised money-smart ideas on this Monday. Do your kids…