In my previous post about our summer trip to Sweden and Norway, "Crowns and Choices: A Scandi Adventure in Spending and Earning," I shared the story of how we gave Alessi and Basti their first-ever pocket money. It was one of our big family trips and an opportune time to teach them about making financial decisions at the tender ages of 7 and 9.
Miko and I handed them 500 Crowns each. In Sweden, this was 500 SEK, and in Norway, it was 500 NOK. To simplify things for their Grade 1 and Grade 3 Math knowledge, we told them 1 SEK equals 1 NOK, even though the actual exchange rate was a bit different.
Basti’s story focused on excitement and learning the hard way about spending too quickly. But Alessi’s approach was entirely different—thoughtful, cautious, and calculated. Her reaction when we gave her the money wasn’t to rush to the nearest candy store but to ask a thoughtful question: “What if I don’t spend all my money? What will happen?” We smiled and explained that she could convert it to SGD (Singapore Dollars) when we returned home. Her decision-making process from that moment was deliberate, and it surprised us how mindful she was.
During our Scandinavian family vacation, Alessi spent her time window shopping, carefully considering souvenirs and toys but rarely buying anything. She found joy in the moment, content to save her money for something meaningful later. Her first purchase came at the end of the trip, a set of gifts for her Nana, a postcard for her friend, and colorful pens for me—an incredibly thoughtful gesture.
By the end of the trip, Alessi still had 370 Crowns left, and it took some encouragement for her to buy a small keychain as a memento. Her careful spending reflected her thoughtful nature, teaching us that saving money can sometimes be more satisfying than spending it.
Life Lessons During a Family Trip: Teaching Kids About Money
As parents, we often think of learning as something that happens within the confines of a classroom. But the truth is, some of the most valuable lessons occur outside those walls, in the real world where choices have immediate consequences. Our summer trip to Sweden and Norway became an unexpected but perfect classroom for teaching Alessi and Basti about money. They learned that spending isn’t just about having the means—it’s about making decisions, setting priorities, and sometimes, embracing the patience and foresight that comes with saving.
Basti discovered that instant gratification could leave him with empty pockets when it came time for something truly special. He learned that earning money required effort and sometimes a little sacrifice, like giving a 60-minute massage even when all he wanted was to rest. Meanwhile, Alessi taught us that sometimes the best purchases are the ones you don’t make—that there’s power in patience and that saving can be just as satisfying as spending.
Through these experiences, they both learned that money isn’t just a tool for buying things—it’s a tool for understanding what truly matters to them. They learned that every coin they spent was a choice, a little decision about their values and priorities. And as parents, we learned to let them make those choices, to trust that even at 7 and 9, they could understand the weight of their decisions.
Turning Family Vacations into Learning Experiences
Why not turn your next family trip into a life lesson? By giving kids the freedom to make financial decisions, you’re not just teaching them about money management—you’re equipping them with lifelong skills. Whether you’re exploring the fjords of Norway or strolling through Sweden’s charming towns, real-world experiences often provide the best education. Teaching children financial literacy on your travels could be one of the most valuable lessons they carry into adulthood.
