Isn't it funny how *SOME* of our kids think money grows on trees or is magically retrieved from a wall using a plastic card (at the ATM). I mean, you just spent a tonne of money over the holidays and a staggering amount for back to school supplies but junior wants an Avengers T-shirt to match his Avengers cap.  Even after explaining that they don't really need it and mum and dad have bills to pay, they still don't get it. It's time to have the 'money talk'. And no, It's not about the rap song by T.I.It's never too early. by age five, kids can understand basic money concepts, such as value or exchange: You pay money to get things. So if junior wants money for that flashy new toy. They'll have to earn it. Use the delayed gratification tactic.Here's how to help your kids stash cash. The saving culture should start early: START WITH A PIGGY BANKA piggy bank can be a great way to teach your kids the importance of saving, while giving them an easy way to do it.  Tell your kids that the goal is to fill up the piggy bank with all the cash you give them, until there is no room.  Illustrate that the piggy bank is for saving money for the future and that the more they save, the more their money will grow.OPEN UP A BANK ACCOUNTOnce the piggy bank is full, take your child to the bank to open up a savings account for them.  Have them count how much money is going to be deposited, so they can have a physical understanding of how much money they have.  Show them the final number and reinforce the idea of interest.USE SAVINGS JARSWhen your kids really want the latest and greatest toy or a new action figure, let them know they will have to save up for it.  Give them a jar for each of their desired purchases and offer them a small allowance each week in a denomination that encourages savings.CREATE A TIMELINEOne way to keep money lessons ongoing is to create a timeline so that your child can visualize when they will reach their goal. Let's say you give them Ksh 200 a month and they want to save up to Ksh 1000.  If they saved one hundred percent of their allowance, they'd reach their goal in five months.LEAD BY EXAMPLEChildren learn by example, so the best way to teach your child about saving money is to save money yourself.  Have your own jar of money that you put funds in regularly.  When you're out shopping, show your children how to discern between various prices and explain why buying one item makes better sense than another.