Children and Money

Introducing The Lemonade Stand and iPad Mini Giveaway

Introducing The Lemonade Stand and iPad Mini Giveaway

I am so excited to share my new book, The Lemonade Stand, with you today. It’s the continuing money adventures of Lauren and Taylor as they teach their friends, Ryan and Christopher, how easy it is to save, spend and share. As many of you know, I base the characters on real life situations and people I love. It’s a real pleasure to introduce my godsons, Ryan and Christopher, as new characters to my book series.

These books mean so much to me. They are thank-you to my father for teaching me about money and my way to honor his legacy. They are for my daughters as a testament to the financially confident girls they are turning into as we continue working towards creating a long-lasting, healthy relationship with money. But most of all — they are for you.

Finding My True Calling

It wasn’t my original plan to become a financial advisor. Growing up, I intended to follow in my father’s footsteps and become an oral surgeon. Yet something kept holding me back. In my heart, I knew where I could make the biggest difference was helping people find their money happiness and feel more financially confident.

I saw so many people burdened by their money, whether they had too much or too little, and how few had been taught to use their money in a truly joyful manner in alignment with their values and goals as my father had taught me. I switched gears and decided to follow my heart and my true calling and became a Certified Financial Planner.

It’s been almost 10 years since my father passed away, and I miss him every day, but I am also incredibly grateful for the many gifts he gave me, including the gift of financial literacy. I realized how rare and special his gift was when I started working with clients to rebuild their financial confidence and uncovered how their money hang-ups often originated in childhood. The money mistakes they made as adults were born out of observing the money habits, beliefs and actions of their parents who unknowingly passed along their hang-ups. The problem is further magnified by a lack of education around money.

Breaking The Money Taboo Cycle

Because money is a taboo topic in so many homes, children observe silently and they don’t always correctly connect the dots. Sometimes parents make good money decisions, but don’t teach their children how to follow in their footsteps. Other times, parents make poor choices due to their own lack of financial literacy. It is a vicious and growing cycle where both parents and children are victims.

My father waited until I was a teenager before he started his money lessons with me. And he had to help reshape some of my money beliefs and habits that were already deeply entrenched in me. I realized that we needed to start talking to kids when they were very small before money habits and beliefs were already set. I began writing down ideas before I even had kids or knew that I wanted to be a Mom, but what I did know was that we needed to start teaching kids about money if we wanted to stop our growing financial illiteracy epidemic.

The Lemonade Stand

Eventually I did become a Mom to two beautiful girls who I love so much and want to do everything within my power to give them the best life possible. And for me, that includes helping them build a healthy relationship with money. So when they were toddlers, we started having simple money conversations. Often times, it was more about modeling good financial behavior and emotions to them. When they turned six, the conversations started to deepen and they set their inaugural save, spend and share goals. We have never looked back.

The Journey to Financial Literacy Starts with You

Every day I meet with incredibly successful and intelligent individuals who feel overwhelmed by their finances. They second-guess themselves and don’t feel in control. Money mystifies and scares so many people and it’s really not scary at all. But I know parents who don’t feel financially confident are unlikely to talk to their kids. This is why I developed The Heavy Purse. I wanted to help parents find their own financial confidence and give them the tools to take their kids with them on their journey to financial literacy. Don’t believe you have to know all the answers before you start talking to your kids about money. You can learn together.

Even though I chose not to follow in his footsteps, my father was proud of my decision to become a financial advisor. I know he is smiling down on me today as I release The Lemonade Stand and continue to realize my dream of helping other parents raise financially confident children. It is because of him that I am able to do this. And you making the choice to help your kids build a healthy relationship with money will change their lives too.

Exclusive Discount for The Lemonade Stand

To celebrate, we have some fun things planned for the next few weeks. I’m starting with a $3 discount (coupons code TOUR3114) on The Lemonade Stand. As a special bonus, anyone who purchases The Lemonade Stand can also buy The Heavy Purse (print version only) for $10 with the coupon code HPSALE. These discounts are only valid at The Heavy Purse Shop.

The Lemonade Stand by Shannon Ryan, CFP and iPad Mini Giveaway

The Lemonade Stand – iPad Mini Giveaway

July 14-31, 2014

Sponsored by The Heavy Purse

Co-hosted by Are Ya Gonna Eat That, Broke Millennial, Budget and The Beach, Budget Blonde, Budgeting for More, Busy Mom Budgets, Cash Cow Couple, Cents and Sensibility, Club Thrifty, Color Me Frugal, Debt Debs, Debt Roundup, Disease Called Debt, Eat Laugh Purr, Enemy of Debt, Eyes on the Dollar, Femme Frugality, Financially Blonde, Frugal Rules, Living Richly Cheaply, Luke 1428, Making Sense of Cents, Money Saving Dude, Monster Piggy Bank, Not Now Mom’s Busy, Reach Financial Independence, Shoeaholic No More, Stacking Benjamins, Tackling Our Debt, The Broke and Beautiful Life, The Finance Girl, The Frugal Farmer, The Random Path, Thrifty Dad, VeegMama, and Young Adult Money.

We’re Giving Away an iPad Mini to One Lucky Reader!

Help celebrate the release of The Lemonade Stand and join me in my mission to increase financial literacy in both children and adults.

The giveaway runs from July 14-31, 2014 and is open worldwide.*

* A winner located outside of the United States will receive a cash equivalent prize via PayPal.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck and happy reading!

Shannon

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Comments

  1. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Best wishes on the book Shannon! I loved reading it...so did my kids. :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thank you, Brian! I'm so glad to hear that your kids loved the book! :) Appreciate your support and wonderful review today!
  2. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congratulations and all the best Shannon!

    Also, I enjoyed reading about how you personally teach your own girls about finances - you seem like an incredible financial role model for them!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Natalie! I appreciate your support! I try my best to be a good financial role model for them. It's so important to do as they are always observing us. I want them to see me handle my money with joy and use it in alignment with my goals and values.
  3. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats on the new book Shannon! We read it to the kids and they absolutely loved it! I could not agree more that breaking that cycle starts with us and it being so vital to help children begin to get a solid grasp of money matters. That involves different things, of course, but having things like relatable stories for them to read is a great way to do it. :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, John! I'm so glad to hear that your kids loved the book! We do hold the power to break the cycle; we just need to take action. And I honestly think it's so much fun helping kids get a handle on their money and how to use it. :)
  4. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats on the book launch Shannon! Here's to financially literacy for ALL!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Stefanie! And yes - financially literacy for everyone! What a difference it would make!
  5. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats on the new book. I'm sure it will be a hit. All the best of luck with it.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Brad! I appreciate your support!
  6. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Nice work on the book Shannon! I read it and thought it taught some valuable lessons. I will be reading it to my son soon hoping to let those ideals melt into his brain!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Grayson! I hope your son enjoys the books when he is big enough to understand what you're saying and more importantly - trying to teach him! :)
  7. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    I am so excited for you about the book Shannon! I can't wait to share my review for it on Wednesday. You are such a great role model for your daughters that I know your dad is up there smiling down on you.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thank you for your support, Shannon! Your enthusiasm means so much to me. You are a great role model to your son too and I know my Dad has the biggest smile on his face today. :)
  8. Kara
    Monday, July 14th, 2014
    My parents taught me about money by helping me get lots of mowing/babysitting/errand jobs as a kid.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Love it, Kara! Earning money as a child is so important and I'm glad your parents instilled the value of hard work in you.
  9. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats on the book Shannon! It's great that your dad was able to share so many lessons with you, and that you've been able to share those lessons not only with your kids, but kids everywhere.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Ryan! I know my dad intended for it to make a difference in my life but I'm not sure he ever imagined it would go this far! And I am incredibly honored to pass his legacy forward because parents talking to kids about money is so important. Thanks for your support!
  10. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congratulations on the launch of your new book Shannon! Very exciting and I love the theme. I'm sure it will be a big hit.
    And thanks very much for inviting me to participate in your giveaway. I really appreciate it.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thank you, Sicorra, for your support! It means a lot to me. :)
  11. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats on the launch of your book! Really enjoyed it.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Andrew! I appreciate your support!
  12. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    The book is wonderful! I really enjoyed it and am pleased to provide my review on it this week. It will definitely be shared with my grandson who is 8 months old and now standing, so he should be opening up his own lemonade stand soon! ;-) He loves to read books at bedtime, and I can't think of a better way to introduce the world of personal finance to him.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Yeah, Deb! I'm thrilled to hear you enjoyed the book and I hope your grandson does too! He'll be opening up his lemonade stand in no time. :) Thanks again for your support, look forward to reading your review!
  13. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    I love, love your book! I'm thinking about donating it to my local library so that the kids in my community can hopefully learn from it and enjoy it too! Thanks for including me :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Kayla! I appreciate your kind words. Donating it your local library sounds like a wonderful idea and hope the kids enjoy it and more importantly - learn how easy it is to save, spend and share! :)
  14. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congratulations on everything Shannon. Your business, the book, your wonderful girls! It's such a cute book with a great message. I can't wait to share it with someone! PS I'll have your article posted later today. :)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Tonya! I appreciate your support. And I agree that my girls are pretty wonderful! :)
  15. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congratulations on your book, Shannon - it really is a great story with beautiful illustrations, and kids can learn so much from it! I, for one, am pretty grateful that you didn't follow your dad's professional footsteps, mostly because I've learned so much from you and I don't follow a lot of oral surgery blogs. ;) I wish you the utmost success in your book release!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Anna! Aaron did an amazing job with the illustrations. I appreciate your kind words and it always makes me so happy to hear that people have learned from me, just as I have learned from you! And I can't imagine running an oral surgery blog, although I'm sure they exist somewhere! Thank you again for your support - It means a lot to me!
  16. steven weber
    Monday, July 14th, 2014
    They taught me how to save allowance for something I really wanted..
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Excellent, Steven! Learning to save your money something that truly makes your heart happy is an important lesson to learn and mindset to develop.
  17. Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Congrats Shannon, the new book looks absolutely wonderful. I am sure your dad would be very proud. While I don't have kids yet, I know that financial literacy will be something I want them to have. The Lemonade Stand (along with your other books) look like the perfect tools to teach little ones about money. Congrats again, Shannon!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thanks, Liz! I think my dad would be pretty proud too! :) I'm glad that when the time is right for you to become a Mom, that you want to make sure financial literacy is something you want to give them. It's such an amazing gift because sadly so few kids actually leave home today truly prepared to manage their finances and make confident decisions. Thanks again for your support, Liz!
  18. Wade Austin, Jr.
    Monday, July 14th, 2014
    Shannon, keep publishing. Wishing my granddaughters, now 3yrs old & the other due in 1 months, Aug 9th, grow up with your books in their library.

    I hope they teach their American Girl Dolls, given by grandpa, me, to read using your books.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Monday, July 14th, 2014
      Thank you, Wade! I'd love it if your granddaughters taught their American Girl dolls to read using my books. They can all learn how easy to save, spend and share together!
  19. Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
    My kids love the book! We've read it three nights in a row now.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
      Yeah! That makes me so happy to hear, Holly! I'm glad your girls love the story. :)
  20. Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
    I'm so happy for you Shannon...it must feel amazing to self publish a book! I don't have kids yet, but when I do, I'll be looking out for Shannon branded books for sure!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
      Thanks, Joshua! I appreciate your kind words and support!
  21. Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
    Huge congrats Shannon! I'll have to check it out for my daughter :)
  22. Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
    My parents are great savers...and my dad always said to put half of what you make away, in an IRA or stocks, and live on the other half...I wish I was half as good with money as my parents are!
  23. Tuesday, July 15th, 2014
    Teaching my children financial literacy and economics will be one of my top priorities down the road, whenever I do end up having kids haha. I was even thinking recently at my new job how many little things were NOT taught in school that are necessary for successful careers and money management. Looking forward to getting a couple copies of your book for my cousins for Christmas!
  24. Wednesday, July 16th, 2014
    I can't wait to read this to Baby LRC when he's old enough to understand it. Right now while he likes looking at the bright pictures, he also likes grabbing the pages of the books and crumples or rips it! I'm like NOOOO!! It's a signed copy from Shannon! =)
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      I can't wait until Baby LRC is old enough to understand the story too and run his own lemonade stand. :) LOL! My kids used to do the same thing when they were small too. Kids can be tough on books! Thanks again for your support!
  25. Lindsey
    Wednesday, July 16th, 2014
    Direct deposit some into one account and don't ever think about it, as it's a savings account & you won't miss it!
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Great tip, Lindsey! Out of sight makes it much harder to spend. :)
  26. Natalie
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    Both of my parents taught me to start saving money as early as possible and to not make impulse buys.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Those are excellent lessons, Natalie!
  27. Gloria Walshver
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    Great book I taught my kids to save their money, not spend it
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Thanks, Gloria! Learning to save money is an important habit to develop in kids.
  28. Sharon Kaminski
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    30% of my money went for spending, 10% for charity an 60% for college.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Great job, Sharon! Looks you had priorities straight. :)
  29. Teddi Bear
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    I give my kids an allowance, and teach them budgeting.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Excellent! Too many parents overlook budgeting so it's great to see that you're teaching kids how to budget.
  30. Stefanie Foote
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    I got a small weekly allowance. We were never bought toys outside of our birthdays or Christmas, so it taught us to work to earn money and save to get what we really wanted.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 17th, 2014
      Those are great lessons, Stefanie. It's important that kids learn how to earn money and save for the things they truly want, rather than try to instantly gratify their "wants".
  31. Robin M
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    My parents wouldn't buy me the item that I really wanted as a kid, so that I would save my money and earn it.
  32. Tory
    Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    My parents taught me to save anything I can and to live within your means. Don't pay for things on credit if you dont have the money for the payments.
  33. Thursday, July 17th, 2014
    My parents taught me so much about money and I'm extremely grateful for that. They helped me start my first business when I was 12 years old. They gave me a loan which I had to pay back, they helped me buy inventory, market, do the accounting, etc. It was a great experience. Love them for that!
  34. Dawn Monroe
    Friday, July 18th, 2014
    My husband and I started a family young and unexpectedly and a terrible at financial discipline. We were to late to change it for our kids, a couple have been doing amazing and a couple not so much, but we are teaching our grandkids.
  35. Friday, July 18th, 2014
    my parents paid everything in cash.

    They ran a business and never owned a credit card.
  36. Connorpass
    Friday, July 18th, 2014
    My son just started his first job and I am teaching him how to save up part of each check that he earns so that he will have money for the things he wants. Which for him means a car!
  37. Sunday, July 20th, 2014
    My parents taught me the importance of saving. The urge to spend now is always there, but you'll really need the money down the road too.
  38. kelly nicholson
    Sunday, July 20th, 2014
    parents taught you about money.

    have no kids,learned on my owl..i failed though
  39. sandra
    Monday, July 21st, 2014
    i try to tell them what things are worth so they can have some perspective about their values
  40. Stacey b
    Monday, July 21st, 2014
    I teach my kids about money by teaching them to save. They each have a savings account and we add a little here and there to it.
  41. betsy
    Wednesday, July 23rd, 2014
    Congrats! My parents taught me by having me work to earn money if there were things I wanted to buy instead of just buying them for me themselves. I plan to do the same with my kids.
  42. Kelley Roach
    Friday, July 25th, 2014
    my parents encouraged me to get a job when i turned 16 and to save my money
  43. FRANK
    Saturday, July 26th, 2014
    My parents taught me to save and shop for deals.
  44. Stacy Miller
    Sunday, July 27th, 2014
    I teach my kids to not spend every dollar they receive, and instead to put money in their bank accounts.
  45. Michelle Bailey
    Tuesday, July 29th, 2014
    I am so very excited to have both your lemonade stand and the heavy purse coming to us. My children are only just turned 2 and 3 but we are already wanting to try and teach them the best way we know how. So far it is something as simple as giving them $2 when we go to the farmers market on the weekend and they get their own small little tote to pick a few things that they want. I don't know how much of that they are absorbing, but the do know they have to have money to pick what they want. It has also help cut down on waste of them taking one bite out of something and then throwing it away. It is already different for my oldest when he gave his money to buy something. We have been going so long that the farmers already know us so they will let them take smaller amounts of say berries to make sure they have enough. I am soo happy that there are books out now that can help encourage a good relationship with money.
    • Shannon Ryan
      Thursday, July 31st, 2014
      Thank you for your order, Michelle! I love how you're teaching kids to value money and use it wisely. They absorb more than we often give them credit for. Your kids are will on their way to becoming financially confident and I hop you enjoy the books!
  46. Michael W Perkins
    Thursday, July 31st, 2014
    The basics, allowance, Savings acct
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan