Have terms such as APR, big banks, interest rates, refinancing, and student loans consumed your waking thoughts? I am certain that a majority of you have raised your hands. Now, can any of your confidently define these terms? I see you now slowly lowering your hands, and a sudden look of embarrassment has washed over your face. Do not fret and do not be ashamed. Whether you are 20, 30, or even 40 years-old, defining these terms can be challenging, and comprehending money and banking (plus all of its nuances) can be overwhelming. Currently, imagine how different your knowledge of finance would be if your first interaction with the concept had occurred at an earlier age, the age of six to be exact. At this age, you would have earned a relatively small stipend for helping to either clean around the house, mow the lawn, take out the trash, or wash the dishes. As a result, the payment received would have been a formal introduction to capitalism.
In the beginning stages of writing on the topic, I was 22 years-old and had just completed my undergraduate studies at New York University, where I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. I heavily doubted my ability to properly guide families on how to raise fiscally sound children due to my lack of “real world” experience, and of course having no children of my own. Although this seemingly characterized me as unfit to disseminate information, I decided to overcome my fears and write. Throughout the writing process, I discovered that I possessed the knowledge of how money flowed and carried a personal narrative of financial success and failure. The failure came in the form of a dwindling account due to an excess in spending. Moreover, I also discovered that when it came to the topic of finance and economics, there were many that believed they were experts. I, too, shared the same sentiment. Our conclusion was rooted in the fact that we could engage in long-winded conversations on all aspects of finance, we habitually read the Wall Street Journal, and we could thoroughly explain the Dow Jones Industrial Average. Essentially, the reward for dedicating years to studying the craft, and applying theory to practice, was entitlement. Seeking to channel my entitlement into a venture worthwhile I decided to forgo working on Wall Street and soon began teaching Financial Literacy to high school students. What started out as a six-week summer test run transformed into a year-long course. The course continues to be successful and I am now ready to increase the age of new learners to those over the age of 18 -- adults. Therefore, through the visual aid of PowerPoint, it my hope, and subsequent goal, to teach you how to acquire wealth through the comprehension of money and banking. It is my belief that in order to be a successful player in the game of capitalism, one must know the intricacies of the financial system that governs daily life. So, are you ready?
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WhitneyEducation enthusiast whose mission it is to see Financial Literacy receive well-deserved shine. Archives
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