Sensei was very strategic in regard to the timing he chose to read this book with his boy. He ambushed his offspring on the 2nd day of Chinese New Year, just when he was awash with happiness at the financial windfall that had befallen him.

Oh, my son has no problems knowing what to spend his money on. Specifically, Lego 80104 Lion Dance set. (Yes, I have watched the assorted YouTube videos so much that I can rattle off its series number.) But, given that he has been clamouring for it since last year, I guess it’s high time he got to spend time on something that will bring him joy. (Never mind if said toy will gather dust at a godforsaken corner of the playpen after a month.)

Back to the book. Timmy and Tammy share their canteen experience with their grandma. The wise elder leverages this as a teachable moment to impart 2 important money lessons: 1) save money a little every day to find the things you want, and 2) spend money on needs, not wants.

I feel that Ruth Wan-Lau could have integrated non-English idioms to make her message more salient. Specifically, 积少成多 and Sedikit-sedikit lama-lama jadi bukit in Mandarin and Malay respectively. It would have enhanced the local flavour inherent in this book and emphasised the significance of a small action compounding into huge dividends over time.

I like how Grandma uses the analogy of plants to illustrate the concept of growth. I wish Ruth had used bamboo plants that are an excellent manifestation of exponential growth instead.

Interesting to know how older Singaporeans saved by buying stamps to paste on their POSB cards. So cool! I wish for POSB to resume this motivational visual way of saving money.

Seems like I have a lot of constructive feedback about this book. I should probably write my own financial literary story for my children. Watch this space.