Our ‘Rooster Heroes’ series brings you financial experts from all over the world, asking them 10 quick fire questions on all things pocket money and allowances- so you can learn from the best! They’re all leaders in their field, and they’re all people we admire at RoosterMoney.
This month we spoke to Mrs. Claus! 🤶
Santa’s always been in the spotlight delivering presents and bringing good cheer, but Mrs. Claus is the mastermind running the operations in the North Pole to make sure everyone gets their presents each year.
As C.H.O. (Chief Happiness Officer), Mrs. Claus works with the team of Elves to ensure that the billions of customers’ ‘wish list’ requests are logged throughout the year, and the production lines are operating at full capacity to make sure all the toys are built in time for Christmas eve. So who best to give sound money advice than the Missus behind the scenes!
1. What’s your earliest money memory? 🍼
My earliest money memory is when I was 7 years old and I fancied myself a budding entrepreneur. My grandparents loved to knit lots of small hats, so we had lots of these laying around the house. I gathered them up and went around the neighborhood (mainly an elf residential area) and sold about 9 of them in one afternoon!
2. What did you want to be when you were a kid? 👶
I’ve always loved animals- especially reindeers when I was younger, so I wanted to be a vet.
3. What's your favourite candy? 🍬
I’m sure this won’t come as too much of a surprise but I’m not really into candy, I prefer cookies!
4. Describe your money personality 🤔
Like my husband, I’m big on budgeting! There’s a lot of planning that goes into ‘Operation Christmas Day’, and throughout the year we have to make sure money is set aside each month for toy materials, elve’s wages and reindeer upkeep, so Christmas can go off without a hitch!
To save money, I make sure that we buy our toy materials in bulk and I try to negotiate a lower price deal with the local suppliers. In terms of the reindeer upkeep, we use price comparison websites before buying any equipment and I have also taken out annual health insurance (which saves us a lot when poor Rudolph’s nose gets a bit too red!)
5. What's the best bit about your job? 💼
Seeing everyone in the company having great job satisfaction while working is so rewarding! It’s not unusual for us to have carol sing-a-longs on the assembly line. And of course, it doesn’t hurt when I get the odd ‘Thank you’ card from the elves and reindeers…
6. Do you give your kids an allowance? And if so, what's the system? 💰
My husband and I don’t have children (unless you count the reindeers), but if we did we’d definitely put an allowance routine in place.
It’s essential that we all understand the value of things and although some presents may mysteriously appear under the tree, most are a result of someone’s earning!
So I’d definitely get my kids involved in chores – helping around the house or cleaning after the reindeers so they can earn their allowance. That way they can learn that money doesn’t grow on fir trees.
7. Best piece of money advice you’ve ever been given? 🎓
The best money advice I’ve received was from my mother who told me to put a little aside in a savings account every month. I’ve done so from a young age and watched the interest build!
If you get into the habit, you won’t even notice the money you’ve put aside, and the next thing you know, you’ve got a little nest egg for a rainy day.
8. What’s your top tip for parents on teaching kids the value of money? 💡
Santa and I believe that it’s important to get your kids involved in purchasing decisions! When they want to buy something in the store, have them check how much money they’ve saved to see if they have enough. And if they do, see if they were already planning on saving for something else, and what the impact would be of them buying this thing here and now? These little questions can help challenge your kids to think if it’s something they really want or if it’s worth saving a little longer to get something better.
The more reindeer reigns you give your child, the more experience they’ll gain in understanding the value of items and money!
9. How will we be paying for things in 2040? 🤖
It would be brilliant if we can pay for things by trading goods you’ve made yourself. If only I had a crystal ball! Unfortunately, that was wrapped up and delivered to Vanessa in Stockholm last year!
10. Bonus: Favourite app on your phone (apart from RoosterMoney of course!) 📲
I downloaded the ‘Foodie’ app last year… It lets me take fantastic pictures of my baked goods I make. Not that Santa needs any more convincing of eating them all up!
Happy Holidays from Mrs. Claus & The RoosterMoney Team 🎄