When was the last time you talked openly about money with your family?
If you’re like most people, the answer might be “not very often” or maybe even “never.”
Money is one of the last real taboos in our modern world. We talk about everything else — relationships, health, careers — but when it comes to what we earn, spend, save, or owe, the conversation often dries up. And the sad thing is, the less we talk about money, the harder it becomes to manage it well.
At Fresh Moni, normalising money conversations is at the heart of everything we do. It’s why I started the podcast — to make money-talk every day, simple, and empowering, not awkward or shameful. And it all starts at home.
Here’s how we approach it in our family, and a few simple tips you can use to make money conversations a normal (and even positive!) part of your everyday life.
Money affects almost every part of our lives — from the food we eat, to the homes we live in, to the dreams we have for our future. If we don’t talk about it, we’re left guessing, worrying, or feeling like we’re the only ones who don’t have it all figured out.
Talking about money:
It’s not about boasting or complaining — it’s about learning, supporting, and lifting each other up.
In our house, we’ve made it a habit to talk about everyday costs — not in a stressful way, but as part of life. For example, we’ll say:
We also talk about income. Between us, we share what we earn as a family to build understanding.
When our kids or extended family know the real cost of things and the reality of our income, it brings a sense of awareness and appreciation. It’s not about creating a deficit mindset (“we can’t afford anything”), but about helping everyone understand how money flows, what things are worth, and why we make the choices we do.
It also means when unexpected costs pop up — like medical bills, school trips, or even fun things like holidays — we can have honest conversations without stress or surprises.
Here are some simple ways you can make money talk feel natural with your family:
Instead of launching into a deep ‘money talk’ sit-down (which can feel intimidating), weave money into normal conversation.
Mention the cost of groceries, petrol, kids’ activities, or home repairs casually, the same way you’d mention the weather or weekend plans.
If you’re saving up for something big or cutting back on expenses, explain why.
For example: “We’re cutting back on eating out this month because we’re saving for a family holiday.”
When people understand the reason behind money decisions, it feels more positive and purposeful.
You don’t have to tell the world, but within your household or close circle, being open about income helps break down unrealistic expectations.
It also teaches kids (and adults!) that money isn’t magic — it’s earned, budgeted, and managed.
Knowledge is empowering.
The goal isn’t to make anyone feel guilty about what they earn, spend, or save.
Focus on learning, improving, and planning together, not on picking apart past mistakes.
Language matters — say things like:
Kids are amazing learners. Even little ones can understand simple concepts like saving for a toy or budgeting their pocket money.
Involving them early builds confidence and smart money habits that will last a lifetime.
Talking about money isn’t a one-off event — it’s an ongoing conversation. At first, it might feel a little awkward, but over time, it becomes second nature.
The more we talk about money openly and positively, the better we get at managing it, and the stronger our families and communities become.
That’s why I started Fresh Moni — to break the silence and empower everyday people to have everyday conversations about money.
Because when we get better at talking about money, we get better at managing it, and that’s where real change happens.
Willie Leota is the founder of Fresh Moni and a mortgage adviser with over 16 years’ experience. Raised in a large family with little money, he’s on a mission to break the silence around money and empower Māori, Pasifika, and everyday Kiwis to build wealth. Through his award-winning podcast and financial tools, Willie makes money talk real, relatable, and powerful.
