Sharing is probably one of the most compassionate acts of the animal kingdom and kids are taught to share with others from the very beginning of their socialization. However, sharing can sometimes mean spending more money. And while spending money to share is not a bad thing, it is helpful to start with sharing to begin a child’s financial education …which can very easily turn into a self-centered activity if not taught early to include thinking about others..when earning and spending money. The entire of concept of earning money in a manner that helps others is argued each day in court, so I wouldn’t go too deep on this concept with a kid, but when teaching a kid to save money, it’s also important to teach them to keep in mind those with whom they would like to share. That sharing could be as extensive as a research project on contributing to an established charity or just buying grandma (or daddy) a muffin, with the money the kid has saved. The idea is that money is for the things you want and need, but that there is more to having money than one’s sole self gratification. Starting a savings plan with a personal finance goal is great, but putting the benefit of others into the goal can make the financial achievement mean that much more to a child and helps to build a good citizen.