Who was your money mentor as a child or teen? Was it your mom? Dad? Grandparents? A teacher?
Every week leading up to the 1st National Dream Big Read in October, we are asking leaders from around the world questions about their insights and experiences on kids and money.
This week's question come from Loras College Program Director of Financial Planning and Wealth Management Brian Kallback. Brian is also a CFP (r) and the founder of Vine and Fig Tree Wealth Planning in Dubuque, Iowa.
Here are the responses we received!
Read a child a story. Have a conversation. Do an activity.
Make a deposit in a piggy bank or an account. Clip a coupon.
Kathleen Lawson, Executive Director, Economics Arkansas, Little Rock, Arkansas
Growing up, I always admired my older brother Steven’s ability to make money and keep it. He essentially started a career as an entrepreneur when he was in elementary school. He has always been good at making money, and then selective about how he spends it. He is also one of the most generous people that I know. I love that about him.
I consider myself a lifelong student on financial literacy – as we all should be, as our needs change at different milestones in our lives. I do not have one money mentor today, but rather continue to seek advice from a variety of sources, and encourage more people to have conversations about money.
Lorrie Trogden, President, Arkansas Bankers Association, Little Rock, Arkansas
My mother. She opened a savings account for me when I was very young, and taught me how to enter deposits and maintain the register. She also never let me make withdrawals!
Enroll a child or class today!
Michael Morton, Financial Advisor & Founder, Morton Financial Advice, Harvard, Massachusetts
I learned about money from my parents: not from their teaching, but from growing up with a completely healthy attitude towards it. My parents spent money on things that mattered like going on family vacations and not things that didn’t like eating out. In fact, when we did eat out it was a super-fun experience because it happened rarely which made it a special family event. We never really spoke about money one way or another, neither bad nor good. We just lived simply and enjoyed special occasions (i.e. those that cost money) as a family.
Victor Gaxiola, co-Founder, Tech Girl Financial, Morgan Hill, California
As a child, my father was a money mentor showing me the importance of saving and borrowing to get the things I wanted. My money mentor today is my wife and financial advisor Kim Gaxiola.
Kristy Sisko Wallace, CEO Ellevate Network
I spent many summers throughout high school and into college working at a restaurant at the Jersey Shore. My sister and I were the youngest waitresses on the team and we learned a great deal from the other waitresses -- many of whom were school teachers during the winter. We learned to always accept the extra shifts (and the extra money!); to take the work seriously since good service equates to good tips; and to save our money so that we had financial security during the times when we weren't working.
Click for more information.
Jim Wang, Founder, WalletHacks.com, Columbia, Maryland
My parents were my money mentors. They were diligent savers because all of our family was in Taiwan and international flights were expensive, so we saved our money to be able to fly back and visit family. They remain my mentors to this day!
Paul Curley, Director, College Savings Research, Strategic Insight, Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
My grandmother was my money mentor as a child. She lived through the Great Depression, and taught me of the value and importance of living within my means.
Share your thinking with Sammy Rabbit’s global audience!
John Tabb, CEO Questis, Charleston, South Carolina
My mom.
Let's learn and change young lives together.
Kathleen Burns Kingsbury, Wealth Psychology Expert, Waistfield, Vermont
My dad was my money mentor growing up. He taught me to save, spend wisely, and balance a checkbook. One of my favorite memories was reading off the check numbers and amounts so he could reconcile the family checkbook!
About Sammy Rabbit's Question of the Week
Sammy Rabbit's Question of the Week is a Financial Literacy Awareness Campaign that is part of a new and groundbreaking financial education initiative coming in October - The 1st National Dream Big Read. CLICK to learn more.
Our aim is to provide insights and memories from a wide variety of people, perspectives and industries.
If you would like to submit a question or be featured in Sammy Rabbit's Question of the Week Financial Literacy Awareness campaign, contact us!
If you have questions, suggestions or would like learn more about Sammy Rabbit and his mission to teach kids great money habits and other important life skills, contact us!
CLICK to contact Sammy via our website contact form; or
email us at: contact@SammyRabbit.com
