The Opposite of Spoiled: Raising Kids Who Are Grounded, Generous, and Smart About Money

This book came highly recommended to me as a first time parent. As an individual with strong ideals and morals, it recounts many other parents’ methods of instilling values in their children. It is not a “how to” book, but a book of ideas, take and try what you feel will work within your family situation and structure.

I loved this book. It has helped to start conversations with my children about money and value. Instead of asking for treats, my kids have their own money and try to get good value for it - they realise the value of pooling their resources and buying in bulk. They understand the benefits of saving and consider the relative merits of things they choose to save for. They have engaged with society from different perspective as they consider ways to use their charitable giving pots, such as contributing to charities they see in the news or ordering a grocery delivery to an adult friend who couldn't get to the supermarket in lockdown. I am excited about the things that they have learned from reading this book and have hopes for their financial competence in adulthood.

I had high hopes for this book, but was disappointed. The main content of this book are examples of how other people are educating their children about money. Basic ideas like giving them responsibility and talking about money are repeated many times, making the book very repetitive. There is very little actual critical analysis about children and money, even though the author refers to some published material like articles, the book reads much like a superficial newspaper column.

Children will learn about money. What they learn is up to us. They’ll either learn by intention or by default. Default feels unacceptable in our affluent society.Lieber is an accomplished financial writer with a passion for kids and money. The Opposite of Spoiled offers some great insight into America’s last taboo: money. In a culture that routinely exploits religion, race, sex, and violence, money may be the last frontier. Money is the one subject not discussed at our family dinner tables. Too many kids – from all rungs of the economic ladder - learn about values and money by default.Intentionality is the strength of this book. Lieber chronicles a variety of parents and how they’ve deliberately approached allowances, summer jobs, family trade-offs, gift-giving, consumer needs, wants, values, and charities. Not all solutions will fit all families, and that’s not the point anyway. The point is to be intentional about the money lessons in our own families. The point is to be intentional about the money lessons for our children.Lieber doesn’t lecture. Stories make this book powerful. He invites us to meet thoughtful parents with unique expertise and perspective on the child-money challenge. How would a renowned philanthropist revamp middle school gift-giving? How would a successful real estate agent illustrate the opportunities and limitations of a large monthly paycheck? How does a Utah farm family teach the value of hard work to their children?This isn’t a book laden with scholarly studies, although those works are present. Rather, it is a dynamic presentation of ideas and thinking about important life lessons for children. The Opposite of Spoiled is the opposite of default.

Okay book..better get it through a library