The Difference a Dad Makes Ep. 6 - Teaching Financial Responsibility

In this episode of The Difference a Dad Makes, hosts J. Fotsch and Brian Mattson sit down with Crystal and Tobi Roberts to discuss how parents can teach kids about money from a young age. The Roberts, parents of a blended family with three children, share practical ways they’ve used to teach financial responsibility—from chore charts and envelope budgeting to teen credit cards and monthly family budget meetings. 

The conversation highlights the importance of starting early, setting consistent expectations, and using real-life experiences to teach financial principles. Crystal, a CPA and Tobi, a Chief Marketing Officer, guide listeners through their family’s journey with budgeting apps, CDs and planning for emergencies as well as future college costs. The episode delivers a clear message: financial literacy isn’t about wealth—it’s about wisdom, consistency and communication.

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Episode Highlights

[03:03] “I think it starts a little before that with not being afraid of having financial conversations with them.”

[06:39] “They had three envelopes. They had a fun envelope, a church envelope and a savings envelope.”

[08:19] “They ended up paying for their entire flight to and from Florida for a vacation that they wanted to take.”

[10:31] “We told every single person in that line… the kids bought their own tickets and they did chores and saved up their money.”

[30:58] “We go through that as a family every single month… here's how that's going to impact the future.”

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