How old were you when you first understood what “money” really meant? Not just spending it but budgeting, saving, earning it? Most of us didn’t get that education at school and we’re now realising how vital it is to pass that knowledge onto our children.
At 21 Skills Hub, we believe that building families and businesses go hand in hand and teaching our kids about money is one of the most powerful legacies we can create.
Hi Mobsters, I’m MOB member Andrea Stylianou, a passionate educator with over 15 years’ experience teaching in the UK and abroad. I’m the co-founder of 21 Skills Hub, an organisation dedicated to equipping young people with the essential life skills that traditional schooling often overlooks - from financial literacy to resilience, sustainability and social-emotional learning.
As a former Head Teacher, I’ve seen first-hand the gap between academic knowledge and real-world readiness, and I’m passionate about helping families bridge that gap. This became even more urgent to me and my co-founder (who is also my husband!) when we became parents to Nia. Being part of the MOB has been such an inspiring journey...it’s a privilege to be surrounded by such a dynamic community of women and I’m excited to contribute in the ways I can.
The Current Gap (and Why It’s Up to Us)
Despite money being part of everyday life, only 33% of UK children aged 7–17 receive any financial education in school. Even more worrying? Just 17% of teachers feel confident teaching it. This leaves a massive gap — one we, as parents, need to fill.
But don’t worry, you don’t need a degree in finance to raise a money-smart child. You just need the willingness to talk about money and a few simple tools to make those conversations age-appropriate and engaging. Why Early Conversations Matter Research shows that by age 7, children’s money habits are already forming. That means those early chats (about pocket money, why we shop around for deals or why we don’t buy every toy they want) are shaping their lifelong mindset around money.
When we help our kids understand the value of money (not just the price of things), we’re giving them confidence, resilience and responsibility. Those aren’t just financial skills—they’re life skills.
You’re Already Teaching Them—Here’s How to Level Up
Chances are, you’re already laying the groundwork:
● You’ve said, “We can’t afford that right now.”
● You’ve given them pocket money, or talked about saving up for something.
● You’ve pointed out the cost difference between brands at the supermarket.
The good news? That’s exactly how financial literacy starts.
The next step is to build on those everyday lessons with structure and intention. At our recent Lunch and Learn with Xero, we explored how to:
● Introduce money through play and storytelling for young children
● Use practical tools like the "Spend, Save, Share" jars system
● Tie in real-life experiences like birthday budgets, family outings and even mistakes
("Oops, we forgot to bring snacks and now we're stuck buying £5 popcorn") as teachable moments
You Don’t Need to Be Perfect—Just Present
One of the most powerful takeaways from the session? You don’t need to be a financial expert. You just need to start the conversation...and keep showing up for it. Financial literacy isn’t a one-time lesson. It’s built over years, through open dialogue, shared decisions and real-life examples.
Want Support? We’ve Got You.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try downloading our eBook from 21 Skills Hub: 5 Ways to Help Your Child Master Money. It’s packed with age-specific tips and activities and is now just £7 for a limited time.
You can also sign up to our newsletter to be the first to know when our Financial Wizards Course is launched! It’s a comprehensive online video course designed to help children (and their parents!) build solid money skills together (ages 7+). Learn more at www.21skillshub.com
Next in the Series:
Blog 2: Money Lessons for Every Age – From Toddlers to Teens
We’ll share a simple roadmap to teach age-appropriate money skills.
