The Parenting Hack That Makes Your Kids Actually Want to Save Money

We've all watched our kids spend their allowance or gift money the moment they get it. 

What if there was a way to help kids develop the habit of saving?

It might sound challenging, but there are some approaches that can help kids get genuinely excited about watching their money grow and working toward goals they care about. 

Meet POSB’s Smiley - the cheerful squirrel who’s been Singapore’s best-kept parenting secret for over 40 years.

Now, the cheerful Smiley is bringing that same spirit of fun and saving to the next generation with some exciting new SG60 promotions for the POSB Smart Buddy and POSB CDA.

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Smiley: The Original Savings Guru

POSB's beloved Smiley has been teaching Singaporean children the value of saving for decades. 

Just like squirrels save nuts for winter, Smiley teaches your kids that saving today means having more tomorrow. But here's what makes this different from your typical financial education: it actually works because it's fun.

The genius lies in the psychology. When saving becomes a game with a friendly character cheering them on, your child stops seeing it as punishment and starts seeing it as an adventure.

Smiley continues to feature in POSB’s savings campaigns for children - because the good old fashioned habit of saving never goes out of style.

And now, he's bringing serious upgrades to help you win the parenting game!

Smart Buddy 2X Savings Booster: Where Saving Becomes Fun

So how do you turn a boring concept like saving into something kids can’t wait to do? 

POSB has cracked the code on making saving irresistible with their Smart Buddy 2X Savings Booster Programme. It’s a programme that transforms your child’s allowance into a game where they’re always winning.

From now until 31 October 2025, for every dollar your child saves from their allowance with their Smart Buddy card or watch, POSB will match it with digital Smiley Stamps - up to S$10 per month - just for making smart choices!

Here’s how it works:

• Each Smiley Stamp is worth S$0.50
• Stamps are stored in your monthly Stamp Savings Card in the Smart Buddy mobile application
• They’re automatically credited to your linked account by the 10th of the following month

Example: If you give your child S$20 for the week and they save S$10, POSB will match that with another S$10 worth of Smiley Stamps. That’s 20 stamps - each worth 50 cents - simply by being financially smart!

To qualify for this generous matching, your child just needs to make six purchases of any amount with their Smart Buddy card or watch each month.

Suddenly, saving feels like a game where your child wins twice. And you? You get to sit back and watch them light up when they realise their money is growing.

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Why This Often Works (When Other Methods Fall Short)

You've probably tried the piggy bank approach or promised rewards for saving. But here's why the Smart Buddy system succeeds where others fail: immediate, visible rewards. Those digital Smiley Stamps show up right in the app, and they're automatically credited to your child's account by the 10th of the following month.

It’s an easy way to help kids understand the value of a dollar and watch their savings grow. Your child sees their choice to skip that candy bar turn into real money growth. 

It's positive reinforcement that actually builds long-term habits, the holy grail of parenting wins.

Learn more about the POSB Smart Buddy 2X Savings Booster here

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6th Gen Smart Buddy Watch makes it even more fun

The 6th Gen Smart Buddy watch is here, and it’s basically a money coach and fitness buddy rolled into one. It tracks activity, encourages healthy habits, and makes saving feel part of everyday life. 

‍Plus it’s free for new users!

Setup is simple with magnetic charging and seamless pairing.

Bonus: it looks cool enough that your child will actually want to wear it.

‍POSB CDA: Building Your Child's Financial Foundation from Day One

Exclusive SG60 Celebration Perks

If you’ve just welcomed a new baby, congratulations! While you’re enjoying all those precious first moments, it’s never too early to start thinking about your child’s financial future.

The Child Development Account (CDA) helps you do just that.

Open a POSB CDA from now until 31 December 2025, you'll receive special SG60 celebration benefits that make this milestone even more meaningful.

Your child will receive a S$60 cash gift deposited directly into their Child Savings Account, providing an immediate boost to their financial start. 

Plus, you'll get a limited-edition SG60 POSB x Pigeon milk bottle – a special keepsake that commemorates both Singapore's 60th anniversary and your child's savings journey.

For CDA information and to take advantage of the exclusive SG60 benefits, check out https://www.posb.com.sg/personal/promotion/cda. 

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Practical Flexibility for Growing Families

You can easily use funds in the CDA for childcare or medical expenses at Baby Bonus Approved Institutions via NETS or GIRO payments. This ensures your child's immediate needs are covered while their long-term savings continue growing.

The POSB Baby Bonus NETS Card also unlocks exclusive deals and special offers on everything from books, enrichment classes, family photoshoots, and baby full month gift sets, stretching your family budget further.

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The Bottom Line: Your Secret to Raising Money-Savvy Kids

Both the Smart Buddy 2X Booster and CDA promotions do more than just add money to your child's account. They create positive associations with saving that will influence their financial decisions for life.

Kids aren’t born knowing how to manage money, but Smiley transforms saving money into an engaging, enjoyable experience. 

When your child sees their saved allowance matched with Smiley Stamps or watches their CDA balance grow, they're learning that smart financial choices lead to real rewards.

These programmes also give you concrete ways to start important money conversations with your children. 

Whether you're explaining how the Smart Buddy matching works or showing them how their CDA balance grows over time, you're shaping how they think about money for the rest of their lives. And that’s the kind of parenting that pays off way beyond the allowance years.

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Getting Started: Your Next Steps

Ready to transform your family's relationship with money? Here's how to begin:

The Smart Buddy 2X Savings Booster programme is running now through 31 October 2025. Visit https://www.posb.com.sg/personal/promotion/smart-buddy to get started on earning matched savings for your child. Not a Smart Buddy user? Sign up now for free to enjoy the promotion and all the great features for free!

For CDA benefits, check out https://www.posb.com.sg/personal/promotion/cda. The SG60 promotion runs until 31 December 2025 

Your child’s relationship with money begins with the lessons you teach them today. With POSB’s trusted guidance - and Smiley’s friendly encouragement - you can make those lessons fun, rewarding, and unforgettable!

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Learn more about POSB savings initiatives here: https://www.posb.com.sg/personal/posb-national-savings

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This article was brought to you by POSB