New Year always means setting new goals, right? A lot of us are probably aiming to crush it academically this year, whether it’s acing the tests or getting top grades in class. Some of you might already be hitting the books hard to make it happen. And then, some have resolved to declutter their desks from the very first day of the year. Isn’t that true?

Since this fresh start inspires all of us to reset and restart, why not add one more goal to our list of resolutions?

It’s a simple, yet powerful habit that should be developed from a young age — saving money. Whether it’s your pocket money or your earnings, being budget-wise and learning to save is a life skill that can benefit you greatly in the long run.

Value what you receive

As kids, life often feels simple and carefree. You don’t think twice about how you get all the clothes, toys, necessities or even luxuries of life, whether it’s that cool new gadget, a favourite snack or a colourful fancy stationery item. You simply ask your parents and sooner or later, they provide it. But if they say no, it might seem like they don’t value your wants or needs.

What you, as a kid, often overlook is the effort behind it. Whether your parents are running a business or doing a job, they pour their time and energy into earning money to support the household. Earning money isn’t as effortless as it might seem.

Let’s put it into perspective: imagine your father asks you to help clean and organise the house for a day. You put in hours of hard work, scrubbing, dusting and tidying up every corner. By the end of the day, you’re tired but proud of your effort. As a reward, your parents give you something you’ve been longing for. That reward would feel extra meaningful because you earned it through your hard work.

Now imagine your sibling casually taking or ruining that reward without considering the effort you put in. Wouldn’t it frustrate you? That moment could teach you a valuable lesson: when you work hard for something, you know its value; the same applies to when you waste your parents’ hard-earned money, in buying unnecessary items, you waste their time, energy and hard work in a matter of minutes.

This is why learning the value of money and effort at a young age is so important. It helps us appreciate not just the........

© Dawn Young Magazine