Children can understand basic fundamentals of money and its value by age 7 according to a University of Cambridge study. We asked TKè, a company that provides workshops for children to get more hands on experience with technology, for an app recommendation to assist in this. TKè works with schools like 3e International School to provide technology-based afterschool activities. According to the organization, “We believe improving children’s interpersonal skills and technological know-how will help them overcome the challenges and grasp the opportunities posed by 21st century technology.”
The app they recommend is the PiggyBot, a free iOS application for teaching children about money. The major drawback of the app is that the app can’t be synced across your iPhone, iPad, or iPod but can be downloaded on to each device. “This electronic piggybank’s simple interface and limited vocabulary makes it easy for children ages 6 and up to navigate. However the app does not explain what an allowance is, nor the difference between spending and saving; it facilitates that conversation between parents and their children. Parents can use the app to indicate how much allowance each child gets, and how much of that allowance must be saved or shared.”
“Once the electronic I owe you (IOU) is dispensed, each child can open his or her account and put the “money” into their respective “bins” (Spend, Share, Save). Children can then list their target purchases (e.g. a cupcake) and upload a picture of the item. They can also indicate who they want to share their “money” with, as well as remove “money” from their savings account (with parental permission). When a financial target is met, children can carry out the task with their parents’ help (e.g. purchasing the cupcake) and then indicate their accomplishment on the app. Once parents confirm the accomplishment, the child receives a badge!”
“Finally, parents can tap on a child and add a list of bonus chores the child can complete for extra money. Privacy is not an issue with this app, as it asks for nothing other than a parent’s email address for password recovery. No actual money is being transferred through the app, but it’s a great way for children to get used to online banking, and thinking of money in more abstract terms (i.e. debt and credit cards).”
“If you’re a busy parent, with older children, Green$treets may be the better choice. In this virtual world, children complete electronic “chores” to earn in-game currency. They can then use the currency to decorate their virtual playroom and rescue endangered species. The app implicitly teaches children the difficulty of earning money, and the importance of saving and donating what you earn.”

Green$treets
Platform: iOS
Price: Free

Piggy Bot
Platform: iOS
Price: Free

Contact Celia_y@tketech.co for info on camps and classes.

This article originally appeared on page 35 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

PHOTOS: Moneyisland.com, iTunes.com

As Beijing was enjoying the thrills of the 2008 summer Olympics, Prachi Gupta packed up with her family and moved from Bangkok after her husband was offered a job in the capital. Gupta was a stay-at-home mom of their daughter when she started working part time for the Yew Chung International School of Beijing (YCIS Beijing). She moved to a full time position shortly afterwards and has taught Business Management and Economics for the past seven years. Gupta shares with us her childhood memories and teaching experience thus far.

What’s was your favorite subject when you were a student? Why?
I liked mathematics and later on in high school I liked Accounting. I like numbers, so mathematics was relatively easy for me, and I got good grades.

What did you want to be when you were a kid? What other career options did you explore before teaching?
As a kid, I had always wanted to be a teacher. After I finished my Masters in Management Studies (majoring in Finance), I joined a Securities Exchange firm as an Equity Research Analyst, where I learned a lot but did not enjoy the job much. I then joined a Private Sector Bank and got an opportunity to work in different departments: I worked in the Treasury and the Loans and Advances departments for a few years each. However, teaching was my calling, and now I am here – enjoying every single lesson.

How would you (or your students) describe your teaching style?
Organized, focused, relaxed, persistent, caring, and funny. Very clear – explains theories very well. Uses a lot of examples and hands-on activities.

What are some of the topics you cover?
IGCSE and IB are very curriculum driven and we cover all the topics in the syllabus and beyond; broadly, the topics include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, International Economics, and Developmental Economics.

What topic was the most challenging to cover with children? Why?
Microeconomics is the most challenging to teach. This is mainly because it is taught very early in the course and forms the foundation to economic concepts learnt in the following units. At this stage, they lack a maturity of knowledge and find it difficult to understand – but this unit is the base on which all their knowledge is built.

What topic was the most interesting to your students? Why?
Our students come from different countries and they quite enjoy the International Economics unit, mostly because they can easily relate to it and understand the different concepts. What really interests them the most is Developmental Economics; however, they can also get frustrated and emotional when we research and discuss poverty.

How do you encourage your students to be passionate about Economics?
When we discuss real life examples and news articles, students are intrigued and able to relate to Economics, bringing the best out of a lesson. I think my passion for Economics just gets passed on to them through my words!

What class project in your teaching career was the most meaningful to you?
In my first few years of teaching Economics, I would introduce the topics by explaining the concept, drawing the models on the white board, and felt that the students were getting impressed by my logical explanations. In recent years I have come to realize that students were not as engaged, for they were not made to “think”. Now, with more experience and after sharing ideas with other teachers, I use activities where students try and build concepts with their own understanding and experiences. Most of the time they are correct with only minor errors! Hence over the years my teaching style has changed quite a lot.

This article originally appeared on page 36 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photo: Courtesy of YCIS Beijing

Ellen Liu is a native Beijinger. She’s a stay-at-home mom, looking after son Thomas (age 7) while her husband is at work. Thomas attends Yizhuang First Central Primary School.

Do you give your child pocket money? If so, how much and at what age did he begin to receive it?
Currently, we don’t regularly give him pocket money. I’m considering giving him regular pocket money when he gets to 10. Maybe RMB 20 per week.

Does he get paid for chores?
We have tried this method before, but not always. My son likes to get involved with chores, but doesn’t expect to get money, though we have paid him sometimes for doing chores.

Do you control how he spends his money?
He gets money as bonus. He had a deal with his dad on how much money he gets depends on the total scores of the final exams at the end of every semester. For example, if he gets 200 marks in total, he will get RMB 20. His dad said that in this way, he will have to earn money through his effort. Then he’ll know that one has to work hard to make money. He will treat the money made through his effort more carefully and rationally.

Does your child have a bank account?
My son has his own bank account. We created a bank account in his name the year he was born, and deposit all the hongbao money he got in it.

Does your child take any part in family budgeting or shopping?
We provide daily necessities and things he needs for study. Other than that, he has to pay for the toys he wants to get.

Does your child run errands?
When I was a little girl, I ran errands in the hutongs all the time, though my parents never gave me any money for that. For now, times are different, and the social environment has changed. I once intended to send my seven-year-old son to buy things in the neighborhood, but my husband and the grandparents opposed the idea. So my son has never run errands so far.

Do you talk to your child about money, and financial planning?
We once talked about how to spend money wisely. I compared the product he wants to buy to his favorite toys. For example, I told him that an expensive Lego kit will cost many toy cars.

Do you talk to in-laws or grandparents about how much money they should give to your child, as presents or hongbao?
I don’t talk to grandparents about giving him money or not, or how much money they should give him. I don’t want him to take that money, but if the grandparents insist, I will put the money in his bank account.

Does your child give to or collect money for charity?
My son has given money to charity.

Does the Tooth Fairy visit your home? If so, how much does she leave?
I have told my son stories about the Tooth Fairy, but it’s not Chinese tradition to put money under his pillow.

Michelle Hrabar (USA) has lived in Beijing for seven years, with her husband Craig (Australia) and two daughters, Corinna (age 14) and Abbie (9). Michelle is a housewife while Craig works in management at an energy company. Corinna and Abbie are students at Dulwich College Beijing (DCB).

Do you give your children pocket money? If so, how much? At what age did they start getting it?
Corinna, our 14-year-old daughter, has a bank account in Australia for university. Corinna has only ever saved her pocket money so we later decided to bank it for university.  A monthly amount is deposited. She only gets spending money now for outings with her friends. Abbie, our 9-year-old, gets RMB 20 per week to spend in her school store, to buy toys or school supplies. Any other spending, I buy for her as they come up and are agreed on. The only exceptions for both are summer holidays, where they are allocated an amount for spending.

Do they get paid for chores?
No. Chores are part of being a family and are not rewarded with money. Honestly, we do more chores than some, but our lovely ayi does the majority.

Do you control how they spend their money?
I will advise them what I think when they spend their money, but I let them choose what they buy more often than not, unless it is something I feel they will not use or is unnecessary.

Do your children have bank accounts?
Corinna has a college fund. Abigail will be getting one this year.

Do your children take any part in family budgeting or shopping?
Both girls help with grocery shopping and clothes shopping. They are very aware of the cost of things and how it compares with their home country. They are also very good at price comparison.

Do your children run errands?
Corinna and Abbie sometimes will go to the shop within our compound and buy something needed last minute.

Do you talk to your children about money, and financial planning?
We have not talked to the girls about financial planning. A great question and one I think I will look at seriously moving forward.

Do you talk to in-laws or grandparents about how much money they should give to your children, as presents or hongbao?
No, what our families decide to give is fine. I don’t believe we would ever do that unless they were overindulging our daughters, which is not the case.

Do your children give to or collect money for charity?
They have been involved in charity since arriving in China seven years ago. One year Corinna asked for all her presents to be money given to a foster home, and Abbie has raised funds for Roundabout.

Does the Tooth Fairy visit your home? If so, how much does she leave?
We have a very overindulgent Tooth Fairy. She has been known to give up to RMB 30 per tooth. I have thought seriously about discussing appropriate amounts to give children but who can argue with the Tooth Fairy?

This article originally appeared on page 12-13 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photos: Courtesy of Ellen Liu and Michelle Hrabar

It’s Monopoly night. Because nothing brings a family together like trying to drive each other to bankruptcy.
Unfortunately our Monopoly set is Star Wars themed, so while I try to set up the game, Joseph engages the pieces in a furious lightsaber battle, with Batman-style sound effects.

“Wha-poosh!” he cries, as Darth Vader skids across the board.

“No wha-poosh,” I tell him, picking up the scattered cards.

“Wha-pompom!”

One of the joys of parenthood is that as your children get older, they become lawyers, picking through every word you say for loopholes.

“No wha-pompom either.”

“Lanko! Dondy! Triple somersault dive!”

Finally order is restored, and the game begins.

“You owe me 26 credits rent,” Noah tells Joseph.

“Why?”

“Because you landed on my planet.”

“Why does that mean I owe you rent?” Joseph asks, not unreasonably. “I don’t live there.”

“Because that’s the way it is,” Noah says. “Make that 30 for arguing.”

Monopoly is instructive about money, in more ways than one. Its forerunner, The Landlord’s Game, was designed by left wing radicals to warn people of the evils of capitalism.

“There are those who argue that it may be a dangerous thing to teach children how to get the advantage of their fellows, but let me tell you there are no fairer-minded beings in the world than our own little American children,” wrote its inventor Elizabeth Magie, optimistically. “Let the children once see clearly the gross injustice of our present land system, and when they grow up, the evil will soon be remedied.”

Capitalism struck back though. Unemployed heater salesman Charles Darrow stole the idea and sold it to Parker Brothers as his own invention. When Magie protested, she was paid USD 500 for the rights to her game. Magie was subsequently written out of the history of Monopoly, which was recast as a Depression-era rags to riches tale of American “can do” spirit. Darrow became a millionaire.

Back on the board, Noah has persuaded Joseph to sell him the Coruscant Senate (that’s Boardwalk or Mayfair to you traditionalists), and settlements have sprung up all over the planet. When Joseph touches down there, it’s game over for him. He happily returns to his lightsaber battles.

“Wha-schmoofah!”

I, however, know the secret of Monopoly. It’s not flashy Boardwalk that wins you the game, but another, apparently undistinguished set, which you can usually snap up without fuss. (No, I’m not telling you which one. I might play you some time.)

While Noah builds expensively on the dark blues, I gradually spread my grip across the board, and wear him down by degrees. He ends his days penniless in Mos Eisley, which is, as everybody knows, a wretched hive of scum and villainy.

So, boys, what have you learned from this game?

“Money is important,” Noah observes thoughtfully, “when it comes to buying things.”

“And never play games with Dad,” Joseph adds. “Because he always wins.”

Good. The evening has not been wasted.

This article originally appeared on page 41 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photo: ubergizmo.com

Sleep
They say time is money. Well, give enough time to your body to clean, process, and restore tissue for another day of wear and tear. If you sleep with an empty stomach and bladder you will make the best of this rest, therefore eat your last meal at least 3 hours before you plan to sleep.

Eat
When measured on a cost per serving, per weight, or per nutrition basis, fruits and vegetables beat out meat and junk food. Try to buy in season, as these will be the most appropriate for the climate, richer in nutrients, and at the best price. Replace butter and hydrogenated vegetable oils with olive oil and coconut oil, using virgin oil or coconut oil for hot cooking and extra virgin olive oil for cold foods. Research shows that 2 tablespoons of olive oil per day can reduce the risk of heart disease. To increase your good cholesterol, add avocado and nuts to your diet at least twice a week.

Exercise
Exercise is one of the healthiest investments of you time and should happen at least 3-5 times a week, spaced out no more than two days apart. After two days of no exercise the muscles slow down their metabolic rhythm to a basal state (as if you had not exercised) so even if your week is very busy make sure you exercise throughout the week.

Create Your Support Network
Humans are not like trees and can grow all by ourselves. We are social beings and thrive on the interaction that the community provides for us. Make a conscious effort to meet and talk to people that are sincere and trying to be better every day, those that inspire you and make you want to be a better human being.

Do What You Like To Do
Make time for what you like to do. As your body relaxes and is happy all the organs and systems work at their best.

Visit a Doctor and Dentist When Healthy
Book appointments for your kids and yourself to make sure you are up to date on all your vaccines, that your height and weight is appropriate, and that your teeth have not developed any cavities you are unaware of.

This article originally appeared on page 18 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Photo: thesolanaclub.com

Since this issue is all about money matters, let’s talk about the importance of investing in your health. Naturopathic medicine not only treats illnesses, but can also help prevent disease, saving you money, time, and energy. Let’s face it; being sick can drain us both physically and financially. A study in 2007 found that over 62 percent of bankruptcy cases in the US were due to medical problems. Many of the most common diseases in the world are related to lifestyle and are actually preventable, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and certain cancers. Outlined below are three simple steps we can take to invest in our health and reduce medical costs in the long run.

The first step is to increase our consumption of fresh produce. According to the World Health Organization (WHO) low consumption of fruits and vegetables contributes to 1.7 million (2.8 percent) of deaths worldwide. That’s a significant number! In a statement the WHO has written, “Moreover, insufficient intake of fruit and vegetables is estimated to cause around 14% of gastrointestinal cancer deaths, about 11% of ischaemic heart disease deaths, and about 9% of stroke deaths globally.” I may sound like a broken record, but I can’t emphasize enough the importance of these foods! Imagine if 50 percent of our diets were composed of fresh produce? We would likely have more energy, more regular bowel movements, and a clear contribution to achieving a healthy weight while preventing life threatening diseases.

The second step is to incorporate movement into our daily lives. Yes, you read correctly. Moving helps prevent disease. Stationary postures such as sitting or standing for long periods of time are linked to the development of conditions such as Type 2 diabetes, and acute traumas such as heart attacks and strokes. So even if you don’t have time to go to the gym, be active throughout the day.

The third step is to see a naturopathic doctor. Naturopathic medicine uses individualized treatments for each patient, and can be focused on preventing specific conditions. As a naturopath, I take a lot of time with each patient to understand their lifestyle habits, their family and medical history, and everything that may contribute to ill health in the future. This allows me to provide a treatment plan that is customized to each patient’s unique condition. My job is to also help patients implement lifestyle changes, which helps ensure success. Unfortunately, naturopathy is not always covered by insurance. For some people this can be a deterrent to seeking naturopathic care. However, I believe investing in our health can actually help us save money in the long run. Making a visit to a naturopath is money well spent.

In day-to-day life, preventing a problem is considerably easier than fixing it. Our health is no different and if we follow the steps outlined above, it can be as easy as one, two, and three.

This article originally appeared on page 18 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.

Fun loving couple Yiran Liu and Roberto Alvarez are about to celebrate their wedding in September, so this makeover came at the perfect time. They first met in Seoul seven years ago where they were both teaching, and moved here four and a half years ago, then had a civil ceremony soon after. Liu is a Beijingren while Alvarez is a Cuban-American from Miami. He works at the British Council and Liu is a freelance translator.

Liu and Alvarez are the proud parents of 3-year-old Roee and 3-month-old Lucia. When we met up at Catherine de France, the couple was beaming, especially Liu, a stay-at-home-mom who had the day off and left her youngest with her mother. Later on as the day progressed, Lucia and big sister Roee joined us as we waited for mom to get her hair done.

Liu and Alvarez have opposite routines as Liu gets her hair blown and styled once a week, when Alvarez is a wash-and-gel man and hadn’t had his hair cut for a year. Alvarez says, “Work and family commitments sometimes make it difficult to maintain a routine. Running after the kids and dealing with the everyday surprises that come up can be mentally and physically exhausting.”

Catherine de France’s team leader stylist, Aurelien Collard, wanted to get the couple ready for their wedding by giving more body and volume to Liu’s hair through perming (RMB 1,500). Meanwhile, for Alvarez, Collard cut his hair shorter and straightened the hair using the keratin treatment, KeraStraight (RMB 550). David Bai and makeup artist Marie Deng assisted Collard.

Our couple didn’t have any expectations, only to have fun.

They liked the staff and despite the long day due to the perm, they are planning to return to the salon. “Wow! Where’s my husband?” exclaimed Liu. She was excited about her husband’s new look and said he looked different.  Alvarez kept gazing up and down at his wife, saying she looked incredible. As for 3-year-old Roee, she said she doesn’t like the salon or hospital but was happy that her mommy’s hair has become curly like hers. Lucia breastfeeding happily was her sign of approval. Grandmother was all too happy to smile and take photos of the couple every two minutes.

Products
• Mac 6 Snowglobe Eye Shadows/Cool
• Sephora Almost Nude No. 9 Eye Shadow and Liner Palette
• Sephora Wild Safari No. 3 Eye Shadow and Liner Palette
• Christian Dior NudeTan compressed powder
• Mac Studio Fix loose powder
• Max Factor X No. 81 Crème Puff, Truly Fair, pressed powder
• Maybelline Dream Satin Skin Natural Ivory
• Clinique Even Better liquid foundation
• Yves Saint Laurent Rouge Pur Couture Satin Radiance Lipstick, No.1 Le Rouge

Step 1
Collard cuts the couple’s hair. Liu gets a manicure and opts for the gold color.

Step 2
Liu’s hair is permed while Alvarez is straightened using a keratin treatment.

Step 3
Collard, with the help of Bai, colors Liu and Alvarez’s hair with reddish-brown and dark brown respectively.

Step 4
After applying moisturizer, foundation, and powder, Deng creates a smoky eye using dark purple eye shadow along the lashline fading to light brown in the crease, then a gold shadow on the lid and brow bone. Using black liquid eyeliner, Deng applies along the lashes then adds mascara to the bottom and top eyelashes. To finish off, she uses red lipstick. Collard cleans up Alvarez’s chin with a quick trim.

Catherine de France 法式美容美发沙龙
Tue-Sun 9am-9pm. B1 East Avenue Bldg,10 Xin Dong Lu, Chaoyang District (8442 5120, 135 2147 3492, eastavenue@catherinedefrance.com) 朝阳区新东路10号逸盛阁首层

This article originally appeared on page 12-13 of the September 2016 Issue of beijingkids magazine. Click here for your free online copy. To find out how you can obtain a hard copy, contact distribution@truerun.com.