Money Confidence Starts With One Crumb
- Tyler Lavoie
- Sep 16
- 3 min read
At home I didn’t grow up with easy money talks. Most of the time, money was quiet or confusing, and that silence stuck with me.
Years later, as a financial planner, I kept meeting families who wanted the same thing I did back then—something simple and warm that actually fits into real life.
That’s why I started BrightCrumbs and created Colby Jack .
To help parents turn tiny moments into money confidence for little kids. One crumb at a time.
The Real Problem Isn’t Money. It’s Silence.
Most parents want to teach good money habits. The hard part is knowing where to start.
Kids ask for things. You’re juggling a thousand other tasks. Money words feel BIG. Feelings feel BIGGER.
When we avoid the conversation, the “I want it now” voice gets loud.
It doesn’t have to. With tools that feel like play, you can talk about money in a way your child understands—and even enjoys.
Meet Colby Jack and Friends from Cheddarville
Colby Jack is a curious slice of cheese who learns about choices with his friends in Cheddarville. Along the way, he bumps into the same money mix-ups many of us make and discovers better ways forward.
In every rhyming journey, kids connect feelings to money choices with three simple paths:
Smart means Save.
Sweet means Spend.
Heart means Share.
These words are easy to say out loud. They give kids language they’ll actually use and help you guide without lectures.
A Simple Plan Any Family Can Use
Step 1: Read one Colby Jack story this week. Ten minutes at bedtime is perfect.
Step 2: Play one hands-on activity.
Step 3: Practice one tiny habit for seven days. Celebrate the wins with stickers, small rewards like an ice cream adventure or a simple high five.
That is it. Consistency over complexity. One crumb at a time.
What Success Looks Like At Home
You hear new words during a store visit. “Is this Sweet or Smart?”
Your child puts a coin in the Save jar without being asked.
Giving becomes a family habit instead of a last-minute thought.
Money talks feel lighter. Your home feels more aligned. That is money confidence.
Try This Today: The Choice Jar
Place three jars on the counter. Label them Smart, Sweet, and Heart.
Give your child five coins or crumbs. Invite them to place each one and tell you why.
Use simple prompts:
“When I feel excited, I might choose Sweet because I want a treat.”
“When I feel proud, I might choose Smart because I am saving for something bigger.”
“When I feel grateful, I might choose Heart because I can help someone.”
Repeat this once a week. Keep it short. Praise the effort.
For Classrooms, Churches, and Grandparents
The same plan works anywhere kids gather. Read. Play. Practice.
Ten minutes is enough. Familiar characters help leaders guide without pressure.
Kids remember the rhyme. Grown-ups remember the steps.
Why This Matters
I have seen what happens when money is scary. I have also seen the joy when kids get it. BrightCrumbs is my way of giving families simple tools that build character and wisdom early.
It all begins with one crumb.
Ready to Begin? Join The Movement
Grab the Colby Jack Bundle and open it together at the kitchen table.
Your Starter Pack accessories are inside—simple tools, ready to use.
Subscribe for weekly tips to keep the momentum going.
Then read one story this week. One crumb at a time is enough to start.
You will see the shift. Tiny choices. Lasting lessons.
Let's break the cycle.
