The Opposite of Spoiled

by Ron Lieber

Lieber, a personal finance columnist and father, noticed most parents avoid money conversations with their kids entirely. He found that silence, not honesty, is what actually spoils children.

Drawing on the experiences of real families across a range of incomes, The Opposite of Spoiled makes the case that early, honest money talk builds patience and generosity instead of entitlement.

• Handling classic money moments - allowance, chores, the tooth fairy
• Tailoring conversations to a child’s age and stage
• Involving kids directly in earning and financial decisions
• Building generosity and financial confidence early on

When parents shy away from the topic of money, they lose a tremendous opportunity – not just to model the basic financial behaviors that are increasingly important for young adults but also to imprint lessons about what the family truly values. Kids who learn openly about money grow into adults who are both financially capable and genuinely generous.