What's the best way to help our kids financially – without spoiling them?

A client recently asked me a question that goes far beyond dollars and cents: "We want to give our kids a financial head start, but we don't want to rob them of the satisfaction that comes from doing it themselves.

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What's the right way to help without overdoing it?"It’s a concern shared by many parents and grandparents, especially those who have worked hard to build wealth and now want to pass on something meaningful.The challenge? Finding the balance between supporting children and empowering them to create and manage wealth for themselves.

Start with values, not just numbers

The goal isn’t just to give money, it’s to raise children who understand how to build, grow and manage wealth.

One of my favourite philosophies, often attributed to Bruce Lee, explains it perfectly: “Instead of giving your children everything you never had, teach them everything you were never taught. Material wears out, but knowledge stays.”

It’s a powerful reminder that financial education is the real legacy.