If you’ve got a high schooler at home, one of the topics that’s constantly on your mind is college. Recently, we came across a website that may spark some interest if your child is planning on continuing their education in China. Campus China is a platform dedicated to promoting scholarships and educational opportunities for international students in China.

Campus China is a government website that serves as a consolidated resource for international students interested in studying in China. The website provides information about scholarships at universities all around the country, as well as information on their academic programs.

For students who have already adapted to life in Beijing, staying in China for university can be a seamless transition. They’ll be able to build on their existing knowledge of the language and culture while gaining a globally recognized degree. It’s important to note that the eligibility and requirements for each scholarship vary. Some may be only available to foreign students who are not currently residing in China, while others, like Renmin University of China’s “Belt and Road” scholarship, is only eligible for students from Belt and Road Initiative countries.

If your child is planning on continuing their education in China after high school, use Campus China as a starting point to research scholarships, universities, and programs that align with your child’s aspirations. It’s a decision that could shape their future in ways you’ve only begun to imagine.

Images: Campus China, Pexels

Drumroll, please! The highly anticipated results of this year’s Hongbao Survey are in! We asked the Beijing community how much they’re putting in each person’s hongbao for Chinese New Year (or if they’re putting in anything at all). Be sure to check out this post and some of our picks of this year’s coolest hongbaos.

As the festivities of Chinese New Year come to an end, a golden opportunity arises for parents to impart a valuable lesson to their children – the art of money management.

Amidst the excitement of receiving hongbao filled with monetary gifts, the period post-Chinese New Year becomes a teachable moment, fostering financial literacy and responsible spending habits in young minds.

Should kids splurge it all on something they’ve had their eyes on all year long? Should they invest it all? Or, should they give it to their parents as a gift? We’ve got an expat mom and an expat kid sharing their thoughts on money management for the next generation.

Here’s what the expat mom has to say. 

And here’s what a true expat kid has to say about learning about money management. 

By combining the excitement of receiving hongbao with engaging financial activities, children can embark on a journey of learning and responsibility. These early lessons in handling money not only instill crucial financial skills but also foster a sense of independence and decision-making.

So, let the post-New Year period be more than just a continuation of celebrations – make it a season of financial exploration and empowerment for the little ones!

Images: Pexels

There’s a whole lot to know if you’re going to celebrate Chinese New Year properly, and this year I plan on doing everything by the book and sticking as close to tradition as possible, partly to teach my little girl this side of her heritage and partly to finally satisfy the curiosity I’ve had for it all these decades. So, join me as I explain every Chinese New Year tradition that’s about to take over the city.

Search #JingkidsCNY to find more articles on this topic.

Drumroll, please! The highly anticipated results of this year’s Hongbao Survey are in! We asked the Beijing community how much they’re putting in each person’s hongbao for Chinese New Year (or if they’re putting in anything at all). Be sure to check out this post and some of our picks of this year’s coolest hongbaos. 

Images: Bing, Joey Guo

There’s a whole lot to know if you’re going to celebrate Chinese New Year properly, and this year I plan on doing everything by the book and sticking as close to tradition as possible, partly to teach my little girl this side of her heritage and partly to finally satisfy the curiosity I’ve had for it all these decades. So, join me as I explain every Chinese New Year tradition that’s about to take over the city.

Search #JingkidsCNY to find more articles on this topic.

At first, this one didn’t seem that cool. It looks like a box that’s shaped like a gold brick. But to get the money out, you roll it on a flat surface, and the money gets laid out in front of you like a neat stack of poker cards.

Financial literacy is a vital skill that empowers individuals to make informed decisions about money management. For teenagers on the cusp of adulthood, developing a foundation in financial planning is invaluable. One of my biggest regrets is that, growing up, I went along with the traditional Chinese way of teaching kids about money, which was that if I wanted to buy something, I’d just ask my parents for it. I wasn’t given an allowance and when I was in high school and finally given my “own money” it was in the form of a credit card. Looking back, I knew what money was, but had no concept of its value outside of my immediate community or how to manage it.

Here’s a curated list of five must-read books that not only educate but inspire teens to become savvy financial planners.

1. Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki: A classic in financial literature, Rich Dad Poor Dad challenges conventional wisdom about money. Kiyosaki shares his personal journey, highlighting the stark differences in mindset between his “rich” and “poor” dads. This book lays a foundation for understanding the importance of assets, passive income, and entrepreneurial thinking.

2. The Richest Man in Babylon by George S. Clason: Set in ancient Babylon, this timeless classic imparts financial wisdom through parables. Teenagers will learn fundamental principles such as saving a portion of their income, avoiding debt, and making investments wisely. The lessons, delivered in a captivating narrative, are easily applicable to modern financial scenarios.

3. Your Score: An Insider’s Secrets to Understanding, Controlling, and Protecting Your Credit Score by Anthony Davenport: Understanding the nuances of credit is crucial for financial success. Your Score provides teens with insights into the world of credit scores, offering practical advice on building and maintaining a healthy credit history. This knowledge becomes invaluable as they navigate financial milestones like college and homeownership.

4. The Millionaire Next Door by Thomas J. Stanley and William D. Danko: Dispelling myths about wealth, The Millionaire Next Door explores the habits and behaviors of everyday millionaires. By dissecting their frugal yet strategic approach to money, teens can glean valuable lessons about budgeting, saving, and living below their means to accumulate wealth over time.

5. Get a Financial Life: Personal Finance in Your Twenties and Thirties by Beth Kobliner: Tailored specifically for young adults, this comprehensive guide covers a range of financial topics. From managing student loans to investing for retirement, Get a Financial Life equips teens with practical, actionable advice. The author breaks down complex concepts into digestible information, making it an ideal resource for those entering the world of financial planning.

In a world that demands financial acumen, empowering teenagers with early financial education is a gift that keeps on giving. These five books serve as powerful tools for teens to not only grasp the fundamentals of financial planning but also to cultivate a mindset that sets them on the path to financial success. By investing time in these reads, teenagers can gain a head start in navigating the complexities of personal finance, ensuring a more secure and prosperous future.

Here at jingkids, we spend a lot of time talking about international education for families here in Beijing. Our annual School Choice Guide is at the printers as we speak. Filled with interviews and international school profiles, it’s ready to give you a glimpse into the international education scene here in Beijing.

Back in 2019, based on information collected by the International Schools Database, China ranked first as the country with the most expensive schools anywhere in the world. In a breakdown of the major cities in Asia, Beijing ranked number one, making us the most expensive city for international schools anywhere in the world that year. Beijing and Shanghai led the chart with the most expensive schools in the world, with top tuitions at around RMB 290,000 per year.

The latest information released by the International Schools Database now lists Beijing as the second most expensive city in the world, giving the title of first to New York City in the United States.

Now before you feel that sigh of relief wash over you thinking that the new ranking might save you a pretty fen on next semester’s tuition, it’s worth noting that in 2019 the average tuition price for international schools in Beijing was around USD 34,000, while the latest data now lists Beijing’s average price at USD 36,243.

But that’s not to say that all international schools in Beijing are similar in pricing. Back in 2019, the tuition difference between the cheapest and the most expensive schools was over RMB 230,000. Today, the most affordable international school in Beijing charges around RMB 38,000 per academic year, while the more expensive ones charge RMB 200,000+ per academic year.

To find information on every international school in Beijing, visit the School Profile Index section of our website and look for this year’s School Choice Guide.

Sources: International School Database
Images: International School Database, Pexels

Every year around this time there’s a debate in the ayi WeChat groups about whether we should prepare a hongbao for ayi for Chinese New Year (regardless of whether we celebrate it or not) and how much to put in it. Why is it such a hot topic? For most ayis, the CNY hongbao is the equivalent to their annual bonus and something they really look forward to each year.

In the past we’ve given our readers specific examples from longtime Beijing expats, as well as examples from other Asian countries. This year, we went straight to the source – you!

Here’s what the community had to say about just how much to stuff in each person’s hongbao.

Finally, when I was little CNY was THE holiday to rake in a ton of extra spending money. Family members and visiting friends each had hongbao for all the kids, and collecting the different envelopes and planning all the cool things you can buy with your newly found fortune was part of the festive fun. While it’s not mandatory to give every kid you see on the street a hongbao, it’s one of my parents’ CNY hacks that I’ve picked up over the years – always pack a few extra hongbao in your pocket at all times. Very often people will forget to RSVP their kids when attending dinners, especially at homes. It takes a fraction of a minute to pack a few extra hongbao, and it’s definitely worth it not having to witness the sadness in a little kid’s eyes as they wonder why they’re not special enough to receive some holiday cheer.

Images: Pexels, jingkids