“Legacy is not what you leave for your children. It’s what you leave in them.”
- Shannon L. Alder
We tend to think of legacy in terms of what we pass down – money, property, businesses. But the most powerful part of your legacy can’t be counted on a balance sheet. It lives in your children’s beliefs, behaviors, and mindset about money.
And here’s the truth: Children rarely do what we say about money. They do what they see – and more importantly, what they feel.
Just like with everything else, their relationship with money is formed through a mix of conscious lessons and subconscious observations. They watch how we earn, spend, save, give, and plan. They’re absorbing it all – even when we think they’re not paying attention.
Over time, the things we say become more than just passing comments. They become their inner voice.
→ “We can’t afford that.”
→ “Let’s save for something meaningful.”
→ “Give first, then enjoy the rest.”
These aren’t just phrases. They become scripts. And those scripts shape not just how they view money - but how they view themselves in relation to it.
Your financial habits become their foundation. Your language becomes their lenses. Your planning becomes their model.
It’s easy to forget how deeply generational money behavior runs, but think about this: Imagine three families…
→ Family #1 talks openly about money – mindset, goals, habits, decisions.
→ Family #2 never talks about money at all.
→ Family #3 passes down shame, fear, and/or scarcity around money.
Which child is most likely to thrive?
Family financial planning isn’t just about protecting your assets. It’s about shaping your children’s approach to life – how they handle responsibility, make decisions, navigate risk, and define success. That’s the real inheritance.
And this isn’t just theory. Consider the data: A shocking percentage of lottery winners – even those who win tens of millions – eventually lose it all. Some end up in a worse position than when they started. Why? Because without the right mindset and structure, wealth doesn’t empower – it overwhelms, and it can even become dangerous.
Money without guidance isn’t a gift – it’s a liability.
So, if you’re building wealth with your family in mind, think beyond the numbers. Think about the messages, the habits, and the mindset you’re modeling. Ask yourself:
→ Am I creating clarity or confusion around money?
→ Do my children see me plan, save, give, and invest with purpose?
→ Will my financial legacy empower them, or enable them?
Because long after you’re gone, your children will still hear your voice – in the way they earn, spend, save, give, and plan.
Be thoughtful in how you educate your loved ones about money. If you truly want your wealth to last, start by shaping the mindset of those who will one day manage it.
2025-8204155.1 Exp 07/2025