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Jennifer Khadivar's eyes light up when talking about a financial education book that changed her life. But the biggest effect wasn't on the Valparaiso mother. It was on her 6-year-old son, Ryan. Now, Khadivar, associate campus director of the University of Phoenix in Merrillville, is working to spread the message of financial literacy for children in the region after incorporating the lessons from a book called "Three Cups" into her household.
Townsley’s and St. Germain’s text offers an irresistibly simple proposal in story form. On his fifth birthday, a boy receives the gift of three cups from his parents. One is for spending, one for saving, the third for giving. That’s where he is to keep his allowance; how much goes into each cup changes over time. At the book’s end, the cycle begins again, with a new generation. The text includes a parents’ guide. The book began its life as a self-published volume and has sold more than 30,000 copies through card stores and financial institutions. Willy’s warm-toned, ultra-realistic painterly illustrations are Norman Rockwellian; some will adore the nostalgia; others, maybe not so much. But the need for financial responsibility lessons is ageless, and this little course goes down easy. Ages 4-8.
As part of National Financial Literacy Month in April 2010, Interactive Parenting Media in association with Bank of the West in San Francisco, California, aired this special radio program on Childhood Matters and featured Three Cups as the perfect tool to teach young children how to save, spend and be charitable with their money. Click on "VIEW ARTICLE" to listen to the show.
Wow! What a great book to teach a timeless principle. In the financial environment of today, it can be easy to overlook teaching our kids how to manage their money. But if you don't teach them when they are young, when will you teach them? Three Cups is a simple concept that every 5 year old can follow. It involves three cups and the division of money into three catagories. You'll have to read it to know what those are!
This book is a great foundation to teach children the importance of managing their money in a responsible way. Three Cups will help teach children positive habits about money. I recommend this book to both parents and grandparents.
I would encourage everyone to take a look at Three Cups. There are not many children's books that teach earning, saving and donating. I think it is wonderful that this book explains it so openly and plainly for children to understand. The first thing my daughter did was grab the book out of my hand and said, "Mom let me."
Teaching kids about money and finances should start as early as possible. That’s why it’s so important that we begin talking to children about money management at a young age. Three Cups is a beautifully written story that entertains children, but teaches, too. My six-year-old twins really enjoyed reading this book and were very intrigued by the “Three Cups” system of money management. Since many people are facing money difficulties right now, this might even be a good system for all members of the family to share in together!
The idea of separating money into three cups teaches children money management, responsibility, and compassion. But the concept is simple enough for even young children to grasp. With the economic status of the country right now, I think it's important for my son to learn to handle money from an early age on. I want him to feel confident in his financial decisions, but to also realize there are many people out there who could use a helping hand.
Three Cups is based on a true story of a 5 year-old boy who received 3 cups for his birthday from his parents who were trying to teach him to save, spend and give to charity. Three Cups is an easy to read, cute book that teaches children a valuable lesson in many ways. The illustrations are very heartwarming which makes it a cozy book and it retails for only $10.
If the youngsters in your life haven’t yet delved into their first book of the New Year, I have a few suggestions to get them off to a great start. Three Cups is a great book for teaching children about sharing and caring for others
In a day and age where people are not careful about how they manage their finances, we as parents have a moral responsibility to bring up our children with strong foundational values concerning finances. Three Cups is a book that will help you do just that. This is definitely a book that will make a great birthday, Christmas or special occasion present for a child 4 years and above. It's an investment you will not regret.
Parents need to teach their children about the importance of charitable giving. Like saving money, it’s a learned behavior, one that needs to be introduced and reinforced through modeling, experiences and structured behavioral practices. Being charitable with our dollars is an important life lesson, and the earlier this is learned, the better for all of us. Three Cups is a true story of how parents taught their children the important lesson of how to be thoughtful and deliberate in saving, spending and sharing their money. It's not about how much money one has, but rather how one uses it, that really matters. The knowledge and practice of charitable giving can change a child's life, a family's life, and create change in our community.
If you have a young child you would like to introduce to charity and giving, I found a great book this past weekend that I’d love to share with you. It’s called Three Cups and is written my Mark St. Germain. It’s a great book about giving… and the best part of all is that it’s based on a true story. Enjoy!
This book has the distinct quality of the timeliness and beauty you would find in a classic. The message is powerful. It teaches kids the value of saving, for themselves, for their future and for others (via charity). It's an easy read for parents and kids. The tenets of the book are so simple, any family can practice them and succeed at teaching children the importance of managing money. This book is not just another book.
Overall, Three Cups is a great introduction to managing money for the entire family. The book concludes with a parent's guide, filled with suggestions on how families can implement their own version of three cups.
Imagine your life all over again with a clear and simple money management system in place at the tender age of 5... how might your life be different today?
Not only does this informative book teach children the methods of budgeting money, but the author also teaches how to make budgeting an adventure.
Teaching children the value of saving, as well as being charitable, will serve them well. It's easy to spend - sometimes too easy. Yet learning that it's equally important to save and to be charitable with our dollars are important life lessons that some folks don't learn until it's too late.
Three Cups shows the way that lessons in saving, spending and giving to charity can change a child's life... and a family's life.
The solution they came up with was simple: Each child would get a set amount per week, but that amount would be divided into three categories: Saving, spending and charity.
The story is sweet, heartwarming and even offers a lesson in financial management - a lesson that seems especially meaningful today as families struggle in difficult financial times.
Teaching our children and grandchildren the lessons of financial success begins with first teaching them the lessons of how to properly spend and save their money. This heirloom book will be a wonderful addition to any child's first library and will most certainly be one they can pass along to the next generation.
Three Cups strives to teach children how to use money wisely through charity, savings and spending... If they use the cups from an early age, they are given a foundation that will always stay with them.
Once in a while, a book comes around that can change the direction of a child's life. Three Cups, a new children's book based on a true story, has the potential to do just that.