Let's Play Money
Let’s Play Money is the podcast that helps parents and grandparents raise money-smart kids through play, storytelling, and simple coaching conversations.Hosted by certified coach and children’s author Mara Williams, each 20–30 minute episode blends creativity with practicality — turning everyday moments into powerful money lessons for kids. From a farmers market business to bake sales to pet-sitting, Mara’s playful, story-based approach makes financial literacy fun, easy to understand, and engaging for the whole family.Each episode begins with a guest sharing their first money memory, explores a topic from Mara’s Financial Literacy Triangle (play, literacy, coaching), and wraps up wit...
Episode #10: The Terrible Things That Happen When We Skip Teaching Kids About Money: +Heartwarming Moments That Change Everything
What really happens when kids aren’t taught about money?
In this episode, Mara takes a closer look at the quiet, real-life patterns that can follow people for years - often starting in childhood. From a conversation with a woman in her 70s to young adults struggling to earn and manage money, these stories show how early experiences shape lifelong habits.
But this isn’t just about what goes wrong.
You’ll also hear heartwarming moments from kids who are learning money in a different way - through simple, real-life experiences that build confid...
What Is a Zine? A Simple Tool to Teach Kids About Money
In this episode, Mara introduces a brand-new tool for families: the Let’s Play Money Zine.
If you’ve never heard the word zine before, it simply means a small mini-magazine; something simple, creative, and fun to read. Mara created this zine as an easy way for parents and kids to start conversations about money, creativity, and entrepreneurship without needing a full lesson plan.
In this episode, Mara walks through the zine page by page and shares how families, homeschool parents, and educators can use it in simple ways at home.
You’...
Episode #8: Kid Vendor Day: Growing Young Entrepreneurs at the Snohomish Farmers Market
Kid Vendor Day has become one of Snohomish’s most loved community traditions—and today we’re taking you behind the scenes.
In this episode, Mara sits down with Sarah, Executive Director of the Snohomish Farmers Market, and Krystal, Executive Director of the Snohomish Chamber of Commerce, to explore how Kid Vendor Day empowers young entrepreneurs and brings families together in memorable, meaningful ways.
You’ll hear how kids learn real money skills, customer service, pricing, creativity, and confidence—all inside a fun, play-based environment. We also talk about why this program strengthens the wider...
Episode #7: A Calm Money Reset for the New Year
January often comes with pressure — to reset routines, make plans, and “do money better” as a family.
In this episode of the Let’s Play Money Podcast, Coach Mara invites parents to take a calmer approach. Instead of goals, systems, or overhauls, this episode focuses on noticing small money moments that are already happening in everyday life.
You’ll hear:
Why money confidence starts with awareness, not rulesHow kids learn about money through observation, play, and simple choices
A big-picture look at why early money conversations matter — long before...
Episode #6: 2025 Year in Review: How Kids Learned About Money Through Play, Community, and Entrepreneurship
2025 was a big year for kid entrepreneurs! In this episode, Coach Mara recaps the top highlights from a year filled with youth business programs, farmers market partnerships, and fun subscription boxes that help kids learn about money.
You’ll hear about:
• New Kidpreneur Kits launching in multiple Washington markets
• The first-ever Let’s Play Money subscription boxes
• A record-breaking Kids Vendor program with 52 young sellers
• Over 700 cups of lemonade served at Kla Ha Ya Days
• The release of our bilingual book Maria Martinez Turns Art Into Income
• More than 100 books donated to families, s...
Why Bilingual Books and Cultural Traditions Matter for Kid's Money Lessons
In this episode of the Let’s Play Money Podcast, host Mara Williams introduces her brand-new book, Maria Martinez Turns Art into Income—a bilingual story (English & Spanish) that helps families talk about money, creativity, and culture.
Mara is joined by Jen, who helped translate the book into Spanish and shares her perspective as a mom raising a bilingual child. Together they discuss:
Why it matters for kids to see financial literacy taught in both English and SpanishHow...
Business Owners on a Mission: Teaching Kids Money Skills Early
Pam and Crystal join me to reflect on their experience volunteering with the Let’s Play Money program at the Boys & Girls Club, where they worked with 5th graders to teach essential money skills.
In this episode, we talk about why business owners choose to invest in the next generation, the impact of teaching financial literacy before high school, and share personal stories about our own children.
You’ll discover practical insights for parents, teachers, and entrepreneurs who want to raise financially confident kids—and learn how ea...
My Money Story: Why I’m on a Mission to Teach Kids Financial Literacy
In this very first episode of Let’s Play Money, I’m sharing something personal—my own money story. From childhood lessons to real-world wake-up calls, you’ll hear how my experiences (and coaching hundreds of families and small business owners) led me to write The Little Books of Big Business and create play-based tools that make learning about money fun and meaningful for kids.
I’ll also give you a sneak peek at what’s coming:
Practical tools you can use with your kids Tips for building money confidence in your family Real stories from pa...Entrepreneurship & Homeschooling: One Dad’s Path to Teaching Money Skills
Welcome back to Let’s Play Money — the podcast that helps parents and grandparents raise money-smart kids through play, storytelling, and simple coaching conversations.
I’m your host, Mara Williams — author, coach, and believer that financial literacy starts early and sticks best when it’s fun.
Today, I’m joined by my friend and fellow entrepreneur Jason Erwin — a local business owner and homeschool dad of three girls. We’re talking about how he’s bringing money conversations into everyday life, why he chose to teach financial literacy...
"What’s Inside the Box? A Hands-On Look at Let’s Play Money"
Welcome back to Let’s Play Money — the podcast that helps parents and grandparents raise money-smart kids through play, storytelling, and simple coaching conversations.
I’m Mara Williams — author, coach, and big believer that learning about money should feel like playtime, not pressure.
Today’s episode is something a little different — I’m unboxing the very first Let’s Play Money subscription box, with some very special help from my producer’s 4-year-old daughter. We’re coloring together, flipping through the packets, and giving you a pee...
