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How does money work? In this episode of The Children’s Hour, the Kids Crew explores earning, saving, budgeting, borrowing, and investing. With guidance from KidVestors co-founder Courtney Petway and New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya, listeners gain practical skills for making thoughtful financial decisions.
This episode comes with a free Learning Guide.
Click here for a preview & to download
Money is part of daily life. But how do you manage it well?
On this episode of The Children’s Hour, kids share how they handle birthday gifts, allowances, and pay from summer jobs. Some use piggy banks. Others deposit earnings into bank accounts. Everyone wants to understand how to make good choices.
Courtney Petway from KidVestors explains that money is a tool. Long ago, people traded goods. Today, we use paper bills, coins, cards, and digital payments. Different countries use different currency, but the purpose is the same: exchange.
Courtney introduces budgeting. A budget is a plan for how to use what you earn. Decide what to save, what to spend, and what to share. Planning ahead helps avoid waste and regret.
The Kids Crew also talks about earning income. Kids can turn talents into opportunity by selling artwork, walking dogs, or helping neighbors. Effort and creativity can create income.
New Mexico State Treasurer Laura Montoya joins the show to explain how money works for the state. She manages billions of dollars that support schools, hospitals, and roads. She describes investing as putting funds to work so they grow over time. Interest allows savings to increase gradually.
Treasurer Montoya answers questions about credit cards and loans. Borrowing means paying back more than you received. Paying on time protects your credit and future options.
The episode highlights the difference between needs and wants. Essentials come first. Extras can wait. Saving now can help pay for something larger later.
From counting coins to planning ahead, this episode helps young listeners build lifelong financial skills.
This episode of The Children’s Hour was written and produced by Katie Stone, with production support from Sarah Gabrielli, McKenzie Graunke and Thaniel Lentz. Andrés Martínez and Chad Scheer recorded our show at the Outpost Performance Space in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Amber Shiel writes our learning guides.
The Children’s Hour is distributed by Native Voice One: The Native American Radio Network.
© 2026 The Children’s Hour Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Playlist: Money Smart
| title | artist | album |
|---|---|---|
| Money | EmiSunshine and the Rain | Black Sunday '35 |
| If I Had $1,000,000 | Barenaked Ladies | Gordon |
| Count It Up (Money) | FYUTCH & Aura V | Harmony |
| I Don't Want Your Millions, Mister | Dan Zanes & The How Not To Get Rich Orchestra | Catch That Train |
| You Never Give Me Your Money (Live) | Mike Westbrook | After Abbey Road: Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Beatles' Classic (Live) |
| Money Song | Monty Python | Monty Python's Previous Record |
| Financial Literacy | Mr. Deep Positivity | Deeply Positive |
| The Money Song | Alphabet Rockers | Alphabet Rockers |
| Mind Your Money | Louis and Dan and the Invisible Band | Smorgasbord |
| Coins! | ABCmouse | The Classroom is the Place to Be |
| A is for Asset | Michelle Harvey | PBS: Financial Letteracy |
| Get in the Habit! | Sammy Rabbit | Dream Big Collection 1 - EP |
| Show Me the Money 2 | Jack Hartmann | Math in Motion |
| Mony, Mony | David Little Elk & Samia | Elk Dreamer II |
Not all of the songs heard on The Children’s Hour can be found on Spotify
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