Q is for quotation: The price lesson in finance

By Tracy Rabi

Hey Super Savers! Welcome back to our ABCs of Finance for children! Today’s smart word is Q for quotation, and trust me, it’s more than just a line someone said.

So… what is a quotation in finance?

A quotation is simply the latest price of something someone wants to buy or sell. Like when you check how much a toy costs at the store, that’s the toy’s quotation at that moment! In finance, we use the word to talk about the current price of things like gold, company shares, or even crops like rice and maize.

Let’s bring it home to Tanzania: If your uncle sells cashew nuts in Mtwara, he might check the market quotation to see how much buyers are offering today. If it’s high, great! If it’s low, maybe he’ll wait a bit.

A company like Tanzania Breweries Limited on the Dar es Salaam Stock Exchange has a quotation too. That means people can see how much each of their shares is worth at any given time.

Even gold in Geita has a quotation! People who buy and sell gold use it to set prices, trade wisely, and make smart financial decisions.

Why does this matter to us?

Because knowing the quotation helps you make better choices, whether you’re buying candy, a toy, or one day running your own business. It teaches us to compare prices, check trends, and ask smart questions before we spend our money.

So next time you hear someone say, “What’s the latest quotation?” you’ll know they’re checking the price to make a money-smart move!

Catch me next time as we dive into “R is for...” (Hint: it might help you earn even while you sleep!). Stay sharp and stay curious!

Tracy Rabi is a children's author and the founder of Kids Finance with Tracy and the Tanzania Youth Entrepreneurship Experience.