INTRODUCING NATALYN JANNENE, ASSISTANT VP, MARKETING ABBYBANK
Back Story
We are pleased to introduce you to Natalyn Jannene, Assistant Vice President of Marketing at AbbyBank in Wisconsin!
Natalyn is 38 years old, married with two boys, 6 and 13. She graduated from Missouri State University with a bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Sales Management.
She is Assistant Vice President of Marketing for AbbyBank and has been with the bank for six years. Natalyn, also serves on the board for Clark County Economic Development and Tourism Bureau, is the secretary for the Clark County Young Professionals, the secretary for the AbbyColby Crossings Chamber of Commerce and volunteer as needed in her community throughout the year.
When she is not working you will find her at the family's cabin. Natalyn absolutely loves to fish. Natalyn says she shares the sentiments expressed in the Luke Bryant song Huntin', Fishin', and Lovin' Every Day: “If I could make a nickel off turning them bass, never worry about the price of gas, I’d be wheeling and dealing and sitting there reeling them in!” She further states, "Most people wouldn’t look at me and think I am a fisherman, but I have even won awards as a kid during fishing contest for most fish caught and biggest fish caught."
Perhaps read them a Sammy story or share a Sammy song with them!
You’ll find links to both on our home page.
PHILANTRHOPY AND PROPER CHANGE
Team Sammy: Tell us about what it was like growing up – your family and community?
Natalyn Jannene: I grew up in a town called O’Fallon, Illinois. It is right across the river from St. Louis, Missouri. Growing up, my parents were very philanthropic. I spent many of my weekends volunteering with my parents. This would also be my first money memory. I would work concession stands for the Optimist Club and my mom would help teach me how to give back proper change. My dad instilled in us at a very young age about how to save for our future. Back then, he used the envelope system where each envelope had groceries, gas, utilities etc. and the budgeted amount for the month were inside the envelopes. We never went over those budgets!
FIRST CAR
Team Sammy: What was one of your first money memories?
Natalyn Jannene: I can barely remember what I did yesterday so I would say my first savings experience that really sticks out to me was my first car. My parents agreed to give me a certain amount towards a new car, but I had to pay for any remaining amount above what they gave me, the insurance, and gas. Instead of starting to drive in January, which is when I would have turned 16, I had to wait until July of that year after saving up enough money.
ICE CREAM AND MONEY
Team Sammy: What was your first job (formal or informal)? How much did you earn and what you did with the money?
Natalyn Jannene: My first job is probably to this day my most favorite job. I worked at an ice cream shop in O’Fallon called Gators. I was 15 and worked there until I graduated from high school.
The owners were wonderful people that allowed me to work flexible hours. I was even allowed to do homework during the lulls. I made $5.15 per hour. I saved that money to purchase gas and insurance for my car.
I also had a pager (yes, I am that old!). I helped pay for that as well. The rest went into my savings account for my future.
SIMPLE, OFTEN AND A FAMILY TRADITION
Team Sammy: Did your parents talk to you and/or teach you about money / personal finance growing up? What do you remember? What, if anything stuck?
Natalyn Jannene: Both of my parents talked to my sister and I about money often. They looked for simple everyday things that could help us relate to money. A lot of those everyday things I use with my children now. The thing that stuck with me most was my dad always telling me I shouldn’t get a credit card until after I graduate college. He never wanted me to get into debt I couldn’t get out of. Of course, in true teenage fashion, I didn’t listen to his advice. Luckily, my credit card debt was minimal, and I was able to get out of debt very quickly once I graduated college and started working full-time.
SURPRISE! SURPRISE!
Team Sammy: Did you work as a teen and/or in college?
Natalyn Jannene: I was very fortunate I had two extremely supportive parents who wanted my focus to be on schoolwork first. I worked at the ice cream shop while in high school and then when I was at community college, I worked at a jewelry store called Zale’s. Once I moved away and went to Missouri State University, I picked up odd jobs here and there to help pay for groceries. One job I would do in college for money surprises most people. I would paint apartments and do minor repairs for a management company. I lived with my dad during high school and part of college. If there was work to be done around the house, I had to help. This taught me how to handle minor repairs and paint.
HOW COOL IS THAT
Team Sammy: What piqued your interest in personal finance?
Natalyn Jannene: I remember when I graduated from college, one of my favorite professors asked me what I planned to do next. I said I want to become a CEO of a Fortune 500 company by the time I am 40. Well, life happens, and things change as we all know too well. I never thought I would be in banking. Now that I can look back, it doesn’t surprise me anymore I am in the finance world. I was very fortunate to have two parents that showed me the value of money at such an early age. I have always liked making budgets and seeing how much I can save. I am lucky enough to help test and implement new financial products and services at the bank. I get to promote new tools that help customers become financially successful. How cool is that?
THE ONE MONEY HABIT
Team Sammy: One question I ask everyone is: If you could only teach a child one money habit, what would it be and why?
Natalyn Jannene: It would for sure be the Save, Spend, Give rule. I personally like to teach this in the schools, talking to them about the importance of saving for their future, how spending is something everyone must do, and how giving is very important to help keep our communities happy and healthy.
KIDS AND MONEY
Team Sammy: Is it important to teach kids about money? At what age should parents start?
Natalyn Jannene: Teaching kids about money as early as possible is a great way to ensure they become financially responsible. My own children have been learning about money since they could talk. It can be as simple as showing them how much something costs in a store. They don’t necessarily need to know math at this point for them to understand the concept. If we were at a grocery store, I would explain to them that we have “X” amount of dollars to spend on food, then during checkout, we would see if it was over or under budget. Naturally, with age, that progressed into them earning their own money and determining if a toy was in their budget. If the toy cost more than the money they had, they needed to determine what chores they could do to earn enough to purchase that toy. At then end of each year as a family, we choose a place to give back to (Save, Spend, Give rule
MONEY AND SCHOOLS
Team Sammy: Should personal finance be taught in schools?
Natalyn Jannene: Financial literacy should be talked about in schools. Most schools do a great job already with this, others are overloaded with other curriculum that needs to be taught. This is where the bankers come in! We reach out to our local school partners to let them know we are available to teach specific topics for them. This has been a great partnership in our local communities.
Take a peek.
READING IS A GREAT HABIT
Team Sammy: Do you have a favorite book on personal finance or money management. Does one lesson stand out? If so, what is it?
Natalyn Jannene: The Save, Spend and Give rule is my favorite lesson that I like to teach to students and my own children.
Together we can!
FAVORITE FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Team Sammy: Do you have any favorite magazines, websites, resources on personal finance?
Natalyn Jannene: The CFPB and the FDIC have great materials to use. AbbyBank uses both sources when going into schools. The CFPB has materials for all ages, even adults and the FDIC has a great money smart program for kids.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Team Sammy: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Natalyn Jannene: My children are seven years apart, one way to teach them both about saving at the same time is using video games. If you are interested in learning more, check out my blog on the topic on the AbbyBank website. It's linked below.
Discover more about Natalyn. Read here blog on How to Teach Your Child to Save Using Video Games or visit her LinkedIn profile.
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