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Samantha Bird has sparked quite the conversation online with her unique approach to teaching her kids about money. Through a TikTok video, she revealed her method involves having her three sons, who are six, eight, and nine years old, pay for their own rent, utilities, and groceries each month. They earn $6 a week, and from that, they're expected to set aside $3 for these mock expenses, tracking their spending and learning to budget. You can watch the video here:

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Bird's strategy is all about preparing them for the future in a supportive setting, rather than throwing them into the deep end when they're adults. To accommodate these educational expenses, she's bumped up their allowance, aiming to instill a sense of responsibility and financial savvy from a young age.

The video quickly went viral, amassing over five million views and sparking a mix of admiration and concern from viewers. Some applauded the idea, wishing they'd had such a foundation in financial education, while others worried about the pressure and responsibility being placed on such young shoulders. One viewer commented, “WAAAAAAAY TOO YOUNG. Let them just be carefree for a while another replied, “Love this. Wondering do you put the money you charge them into an account for their future?” Queries also arose about the specifics of the system, such as consequences for unpaid bills and the destination of the collected money.

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Responding to the buzz, Bird clarified in follow-up videos that the setup is meant to be educational and fun, without harsh penalties for missteps. She reassured that the money paid by the kids goes into savings accounts for their future, emphasizing that the primary goal is to teach them financial independence and management in a gentle and engaging way.

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What are your thoughts? Should she just let kids be kids or is she well-preparing them for the future? Let us know in the comments.

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