In a world where kids can swipe a screen to make a purchase before they can spell “money,” one financial adviser is changing the way we teach children about money—with a little help from a cartoon character named Benny.
Only 8% of New Zealand students attend schools where financial education is a compulsory subject. When our financial adviser Rohaan Mohanty realised how little financial education kids receive and how complicated adult explanations often sound, he set out to change that. “Having a 7-year-old showed me how kids actually deal with the word money and habits without us realising it. When my child started showing “Benny’s mistakes” in real life like impulsive toy buys – I knew I had to do something to get the learning into action.” The result is Benny’s Big Money Adventure, a colorful, animated series designed to help children understand money through simple stories, playful humor, and a character they can relate to.
“Kids aren’t taught enough about money, and when they are, it’s often explained using complex language or framed around adult situations,” says Rohaan. “I wanted to change that. I wanted to give back to the community by helping the next generation grow up feeling confident and capable with money.”
Many adults also find money a sensitive topic, often because they never had, or rarely experienced — healthy, constructive conversations about financial matters growing up. In some families, money discussions were seen as negative or even taboo, making it even more important to create positive, accessible ways to learn about money from a young age.
From Mentorship to Storytelling
The idea grew from Rohaan’s experience mentoring young professionals since 2019. Over time, he began to notice a pattern.
“I kept seeing adults who were smart and driven, but struggling with money basics,” he says. “That made me think: what if we helped kids build a healthy relationship with money from the very beginning?”
And so Benny was born, a relatable cartoon character who learns about earning, saving, spending, and sharing in a way that’s fun, accessible, and completely free of financial jargon.
“Benny doesn’t lecture, he learns alongside the kids. That’s the magic. Kids connect with him because he’s just like them: curious, a little messy, and eager to figure things out.”
What Makes Benny’s Adventure Different
For Rohaan, Benny’s Big Money Adventure isn’t just entertainment, it’s a gateway to lifelong conversations.
“The goal is to start small. We want kids to understand that money has value, that saving takes time, and that good choices matter,” he explains. “We’re not overloading them, we’re planting seeds. Saving, for instance, is a healthy habit and a valuable discipline, just like brushing your teeth every day helps them grow strong and healthy, consistently setting aside money helps your savings grow over time. It’s about building good routines early. And when it comes to choices, we want kids to start thinking about what really matters, this is where discipline, delayed gratification, and decision-making come in. It’s learning to pause and ask: Do I want this toy now, or would I rather save for something bigger or more meaningful later, like a sports equipment? These small lessons lay the groundwork for lifelong financial confidence.”
Each episode focuses on everyday situations—like earning a reward for chores or deciding between spending now and saving for later—designed to build confidence without pressure.
“It’s not about getting every lesson right. It’s about creating moments where families can talk about money in a way that’s positive and approachable.”
Activities for Parents to Try at Home
Rohaan encourages parents to extend Benny’s lessons into their daily routines. One episode, for example, shows Benny saving up for a toy after doing chores.
“After watching that, ask your child to do a task like watering plants or cleaning up toys,” Rohaan suggests. “Then give them a few coins, and split it into three jars: Save, Spend, and Share.”
This hands-on activity helps reinforce the ideas introduced in the show. “It’s not just about watching,” he says. “It’s about doing. That’s when the learning really sticks.”
Importantly, Benny is more than just entertainment. It’s designed to spark meaningful conversations about money. Every family has its own approach to saving, spending, and sharing, and it’s up to parents to guide these discussions in a way that reflects their values. Benny simply lowers the barrier to starting those conversations, igniting children’s curiosity and encouraging them to think, and talk about money with the adults they trust.
Debunking the Myth That Finance Is ‘Too Much’ for Kids
Some parents might hesitate to introduce financial topics too early, fearing it could stress kids out, but Rohaan believes the opposite is true.
“Financial literacy, when taught the right way, is about empowerment, not pressure,” he says. “Benny isn’t teaching stock markets or taxes he’s laying the foundation and trying to cultivate a healthy mindset towards money, teaching patience, planning, and the basics of making smart decisions.”
He compares it to teaching kids how to brush their teeth or cross the street safely. “We’re just building good habits early, so they feel prepared, not anxious later.”
Why It Matters Now More Than Ever
Kids are already learning about money, Rohaan warns, just not always in the right way.
“They’re seeing ads, social media influencers, and playground myths,” he says. “If we don’t teach them, someone else will—and it might not be a message that helps them. At some point, they are going to face pressures and influences from peers. However, with a good understanding, mindset, habits and discipline, there will be a chance they will not only resist those influences but instead bring positive changes to their peers. This is why we should double down on laying a good foundation from a young age.”
Benny’s Big Money Adventure gives kids a healthier, more grounded way to learn. And for Rohaan, that’s the real goal.
“It’s less about dollars and more about sense,” he says. “We’re teaching values like gratitude, patience, and making thoughtful choices. And we’re doing it in a way that feels fun and safe.”
A New Kind of Conversation Starter
Rohaan sees Benny’s Big Money Adventure as a tool to bring parents and children together over one of life’s most important, and often overlooked skills.
“I created Benny so families could have better conversations about money,” he says. “It doesn’t have to be a scary or boring topic. It can be joyful. It can be playful. And it can make a real difference.”
With each episode, Rohaan hopes to move the needle just a little on how kids see money—and how confident they feel handling it as they grow up.
“If Benny helps even one child feel a little more capable, a little more curious, that’s a win in my book.”
Benny’s new chapters released every Saturdays. Catch him on: Instagram, Spotify and YouTube
