102 Hawaii Parent May/June 2026 AUTHOR BIO Elena Czarnowski is an ex-tech executive, educator, and founder of Kid Laboratories, a learning company dedicated to helping kids ages 11–14 build real-world skills in financial literacy, character development, and modern life readiness. She is the author of Future-Proof Kids: Ten Minutes A Week, a practical and encouraging guide that shows families how just ten minutes a week of intentional conversations about digital literacy (AI), financial literacy, character development and goal setting can shape a child’s confidence and future. Elena lives in California with her family and continues to teach, write, and empower parents to raise financially capable and future-ready kids. You can do this at home too. Set aside ten minutes each week. Talk about what money means, why certain choices matter, and how goals and consequences connect. Make it normal. Let curiosity lead. Children learn best when they feel supported, when they are encouraged to ask questions, and when they see their own progress. Over time, those small conversations become confidence, and that confidence becomes competence. Here is a list of topics I suggest starting with to get you going: THE MONEY CYCLE (EARN>SAVE>SPEND>INVEST>GIVE) Teaching kids how money flows and how every dollar has a purpose. Saving and Budgeting for Goals Helping kids plan, prioritize, and feel in control of their money choices. Compound Interest and Investing Basics Showing how money can grow over time through patience, ownership, and smart investing. Debt, Credit, and Financial Traps Understanding borrowing, interest rates, and how to avoid costly mistakes. Values, Spending, and Building Long-Term Wealth Connecting money to character, generosity, opportunity cost, and generational stability.
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