1. Be familiar with the amount of money you have first. 

2. Pay yourself first. Transfer money automatically to bank account.

3. Be guilt-free when you spend money. 

4. Determine your needs. Spend money fulfilling basic needs. 

5. Have a self-love fund. Spend money on your wants to pamper yourself.

6. Download an app to keep track of your expenses. 

7. Have big financial goals. For example, take care of your parents when they are old and not working. 

You can also travel or go on staycations.

8. Be thrifty. Use things for their whole lifespan. 

9. Recycle materials when possible. For example, sgrecycle.com gives you money for paper.

10. When you have your emergency funds, start to invest your money. 

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I teach my 13-year-old students Education and Career Guidance, which is a topic close to my heart. After all, preparing youth to make a living as well as a life is the reason why I signed up to be a teacher. Bonus points for the opportunity to impart money management tips as part of the curriculum.

How to make the subject of saving palatable for impressionable teenagers who don’t care all that money about money (and don’t have to)? Yesterday, I thought I would speak from the heart, sharing my personal experiences and getting them to copy down the above money tips that I have distilled for myself all these years. 

Normally, my students are quite boisterous, so it gave me great pleasure to see them diligently copying away and spontaneously sharing their financial habits and dreams. I will have to rack my brains to think about how to make money relevant to them next week - but I consider this lesson a success!