From Stories to Savings: How Books Can Help Build a Brighter Financial Future for Children

As a family business, we’ve always believed that helping people make confident financial decisions isn’t just about pensions, investments, or retirement planning — it’s about starting early. That’s why our community initiative, Grow with Ginkgo, is focused on helping local families and communities thrive.
 
We’re always on the lookout for ways to make a difference close to home here in South East London. So, when I first came across ABC Book Club — a brilliant Lewisham‑based charity helping local schools build and replenish their libraries — I knew this was something we wanted to be part of.

ABC’s mission is simple but powerful: to give children the gift of reading and the best possible start in life. They collect pre-loved children’s books, run book drives, and work with schools to create inspiring spaces that spark a love of stories.

This summer, we’ve joined their Summer Book Drive, acting as a drop-off point at our Blackheath Standard office. If you have children’s books your family no longer needs, you can pop them in and we’ll make sure they get to ABC’s headquarters ready for a new home.

“For us, growing financial confidence starts with growing curiosity. If a book sparks a child’s imagination today, they’ll be better prepared to make smart money choices tomorrow.” – Debra Blundell, Co-owner & Head of Marketing, Ginkgo Financial

How stories open the door to financial skills

One of the reasons we were drawn to ABC’s work is that reading is often the first step toward financial literacy. Before children can wrap their heads around savings accounts, budgeting, or money decisions, they need the foundations that books provide: curiosity, confidence, and forward thinking.

That’s what makes the Money and You! series by local authors Anna Young and Joanne Bell so perfect. These aren’t just made-up characters—they’re financial experts themselves: Anna is a business development manager, and Jo runs her own accountancy and bookkeeping firm. Both are passionate about giving young people the financial skills to succeed 

Through Grow with Ginkgo, we’re sponsoring sets of these books for the new libraries ABC builds. If you’d like to see the titles for yourself, we have a set in our Blackheath Standard office for you to browse whenever you're in.

Why financial literacy belongs in every child’s story

Financial education is still missing from most primary school timetables — and in our view, that’s a missed opportunity. Starting early matters because:

• Good habits last a lifetime – Saving part of their pocket money or setting small goals teaches discipline.
• Patience pays off – Learning the difference between wanting something now and saving for later builds resilience.+
• The world is changing – From digital wallets to online banking, children need the confidence to navigate a complex financial landscape.
• Confidence reduces stress – Understanding how money works can help prevent financial worries in adulthood.

Suggested Reads for Budding Money Minds

(You can find these online or ask your local library)

Rock, Brock, and the Savings Shock – A fun story about saving and rewards.

• The Berenstain Bears' Trouble with Money – A gentle introduction to earning and spending.
• The Game of Life or Monopoly – Board games that sneak in financial lessons.
• Kid-friendly money apps – Many come with prepaid cards, savings goals, and chore tracking (just set your own limits).

How You Can Help

• Donate pre-loved books – Bring them to our office during the summer drive.
• Make a donation – If you don’t have books to give, you can contribute toward a set of Anna and Joanne’s books for a local school.
• Read with your children – Mixing story time with simple money concepts is one of the best ways to start early.

At Ginkgo, our role as financial planners is to help people feel confident about their future. But our role in the community is about planting seeds for the next generation — sometimes those seeds come in the form of books, and sometimes they’re the first steps toward financial confidence.

By supporting ABC Book Club, we hope to do both.

If you’d like to get involved in the Summer Book Drive or find out more about Grow with Ginkgo, you’re always welcome to pop in for a chat.

By Debra Blundell, Co-owner & Head of Marketing, Ginkgo Financial