Kelly Lee Author of Little Economists Book Series

Episode Overview

In this episode of The Personal Side of Business, Jet sits down with Kelly Lee, author of The Little Economist series, to explore how she’s transforming financial education for young children.

With a background in finance and a new perspective as a parent during the pandemic, Kelly recognized a major gap: kids aren’t being taught about money early enough. What started as simple drawings for her own child turned into a growing book series designed to make financial literacy fun, relatable, and easy to understand.

Summary

Kelly Lee didn’t set out to become an author — she set out to solve a problem.

After seeing how many adults struggled financially during the pandemic, she began searching for tools to teach her child about money. When she couldn’t find anything engaging or age-appropriate, she decided to create her own.

Using storytelling, simple language, and relatable characters, Kelly developed books that introduce kids to concepts like saving, spending, supply and demand, inflation, and even investing.

Throughout the episode, Kelly shares how early exposure to financial concepts can shape long-term habits, why traditional education often misses the mark, and how simplifying complex ideas is the key to better learning — not just for kids, but for adults too.

Key Takeaways

• Financial literacy is rarely taught early, despite being one of the most important life skills
• Kids can understand complex financial concepts when they are taught through stories
• Early exposure to money concepts helps build better long-term financial habits
• Adults often overcomplicate financial education, making it harder to learn
• Learning should be engaging and enjoyable — especially for young children
• Teaching “needs vs. wants” is one of the most foundational money lessons
• Parents play a critical role in introducing financial literacy early 

FAQ Section (AI-Optimized)

Why is financial literacy important for kids?

Financial literacy helps children develop healthy money habits early, giving them a stronger foundation for saving, spending, and decision-making later in life.

At what age should kids start learning about money?

Kids can start learning basic money concepts as early as 3–5 years old when taught through simple, engaging methods like storytelling.

Why don’t schools teach financial literacy more effectively?

Many school systems focus on traditional academics, and financial literacy often isn’t prioritized or taught in a relatable way that connects to real life.

What is the best way to teach kids about money?

Story-based learning, real-life experiences, and simple examples help children understand financial concepts more effectively than abstract explanations.

Can kids really understand concepts like investing and inflation?

Yes — when simplified and explained through stories and visuals, kids can grasp the fundamentals of even complex financial ideas.

Guest Bio

Kelly Lee is the author of The Little Economist series, a collection of children’s books designed to teach financial literacy in a fun and engaging way. With a background in finance, she combines storytelling and creativity to help young children understand concepts like saving, spending, and investing.

What began as a personal project to teach her own child has grown into a mission to improve financial education for the next generation.

If you’re a parent, entrepreneur, or someone who wishes you had learned about money earlier, this episode is a must-listen.

👉 Explore Kelly Lee’s books and resources: https://www.econforkids.com/

👉 Listen to the full episode and start building better financial habits today