In a year when every other tradition seems to be thrown out the window, this week brings a tradition that can’t be canceled — and shouldn’t be missed. For many families, the traditional turkey dinner isn’t in the cards. The dining room table may be stored until social distancing becomes a figment of history, but the practice behind Thursday’s holiday is as vital as ever before. This week, it’s time to give thanks. And gosh, could we all use it.

So rather than spending this week’s blog describing ways to make more money or grow more wealth, we’re focusing on practice that has just as much to do with financial literacy as anything else: contentment and gratitude.  

The best financial practice of all? Gratitude.

Budgeting is a worthy practice; compound interest, an essential aspect of any growth plan. But there’s another habit that can make your family’s budget stretch more effectively than any financial action you could take: gratitude. A recent study found that gratitude helps reduce impulse purchases and promotes healthier savings habits. Take it from the psychologists: it pays to be thankful.

Yes, money can buy happiness.

If you’re giving it away, that is. Don’t take our word from it. See how an entrepreneur uses his time to give back to people who’ve fallen on hard times. Kamani’s social enterprise publishes poetry and art, but its impact is much larger: empowering those whose lives have been impacted by incarceration.

Are you a teacher looking to spread the news about giving back? We created a lesson plan with you in mind. Learn how to identify a need in your community and use an entrepreneurial mindset to solve it. Be inspired by the ingenuity of others, and find out how you can make a difference by becoming a social entrepreneur.

P.S. We’re thankful for you — and we got you something to prove it.

We’re overjoyed to debut a BRAND NEW BizKids.com! The Biz Kid$ team has been working behind the scenes for months to reorganize, redesign, and relaunch our website. The new site features a gorgeous new look, intuitive structure, and all the resources our educators and entrepreneurs have come to expect. Read all about the exciting changes here.