WHAT GRANDPA LEARNED FROM HIS HONEYBEES

Henry and Mary Svec’s personal finance primer finds inspiration in beehives.

Beehives have served as a metaphor for capitalism and industry for centuries, and the authors lean into the comparison in this book, intended for parents and children to share. Writing from the perspective of a grandfather imparting wisdom to his grandchildren, the Svecs draw 10 lessons from his hives and show how they apply to the world of personal finance (“Being smart with your money means you have a system in place to take care of all those money problems that cause you stress. Like the healthy beehive, you thrive, are sustainable and can independently take care of your money needs”). The lessons include “Focus, Specialize and Be Efficient,” “Recycle,” “Be Strong, But Fight Only When Needed,” and “Know the Probability of Success.” Each chapter opens with a story from the world of bees, introduces a “Smart Money Lesson,” and concludes with an investment tip (Although the authors discuss specific companies they have invested in, they emphasize that the goal is for readers to understand the logic behind their choices, not follow them as an investment plan.) The beekeeping stories are scientifically sound, grounded in observation and reflecting the reality of the honeybee life cycle. They serve as effective illustrations of frugality, efficiency, and resourcefulness, and the Svecs draw clear links between what the bees do and how humans can employ similar tactics in building up savings, choosing a place to live, and developing specialized skills. However, some of the book’s assumptions about economic behavior seem to favor idealism over reality; the authors repeatedly warn against living in expensive urban areas but do not explore how the town of 4,000 they suggest as an alternative might serve the same needs. Readers in the United States may be surprised by the book’s Canadian focus, which comes up frequently in the text, but aside from a few items, like the details of government-backed bonds, the book’s financial advice is broadly applicable to readers in all parts of the world.

A mostly solid introduction to financial topics through the lens of honeybees.