In an unconventional yet educational approach to parenting, 38-year-old LaToya Whitfield from Atlanta, Georgia, has implemented a unique financial literacy program for her nine-year-old twin daughters, Grace and Autumn. The system requires the girls to pay weekly "rent" and "bills" using play money, and even introduces the concept of "eviction" to teach them about responsibility, the value of money, and the importance of hard work from an early age.

The inspiration for this innovative system arose about a month ago when Grace and Autumn repeatedly requested expensive dinners, specifically asking for Benihana twice in one week. LaToya, an HR recruiter and custom T-shirt business owner, realized her daughters lacked an understanding of how money is earned and spent. When one twin questioned her mother's claim of "no more hibachi money" despite recently getting paid, LaToya decided it was time for a practical lesson in personal finance.

To make the experience feel authentic, LaToya used Canva to create a "lease" document, mirroring a real rental contract. Every Friday, the twins receive a "paycheque" in their postbox. They then proceed to the household "bank" to cash it before meticulously paying their weekly expenses. These include $80 (£58) for rent, $10 (£7) for electricity, and $5 (£3) for WiFi and gas.

The system also incorporates incentives and penalties. Daughters are subject to fines for leaving their rooms or bathrooms untidy, or for failing to clean up after themselves. Crucially, non-payment of their "bills" carries the serious consequence of "eviction" to the sunroom, which LaToya has aptly rebranded as "the streets," to illustrate the real-world implications of financial irresponsibility. Conversely, the girls can earn bonuses for achieving good grades and demonstrating positive behavior, such as effective conflict resolution with each other, reinforcing the link between effort and reward.

LaToya emphasizes that her intention is not to make life hard for her children, but rather to "drop the seed" of crucial life lessons. She hopes that these early experiences will resonate with Grace and Autumn as they grow older and face their own financial decisions. LaToya proudly notes that her daughters are already very responsible and self-sufficient, capable of cooking on a gas stove, deep cleaning their bathrooms, and even tracking their own grades. This financial education initiative is designed to further instill good financial habits and ensure they remember these valuable lessons forever.