The 2020 Financial Literacy Season is underway! I want to strongly encourage you to be a part of it. I was recently asked in an interview for a Forbes Magazine on kids and money: Why is financial literacy and learning about money important for kids?
Here was my response:
“Without a working knowledge of money, it is extraordinarily difficult to do well in life,” says Sam X Renick, co-creator of Sammy Rabbit, a children’s character and financial literacy initiative. “Money is central to transacting life, day-in and day-out. Where we live, what we eat, the clothes we wear, the car we drive, health care, education, child-rearing, gift giving, vacations, entertainment, heat, air-conditioning, insurance—you name it, money is involved.” You can read the full article at the link below.
I was luckier than many kids, parents and adults today. Even though our family economics hovered at the poverty line, with 7 people living in 2 bedroom, 1 bath house, with no discretionary income, my father had the wisdom to talk to us what seemed like everyday about the importance of working hard, getting an education and making good financial choices. He especially abhorred debt. He did not want us to exchange our future for an interest payment and to build the wealth of credit card companies and loan agencies. Many young high school, college students and millennials who are trapped today by student and other debt could have benefited from those talks and lessons - what my late father referred to as - "midwest" common sense.
One of the main reasons I hopped into the financial literacy world in 1999 was a result of hundred of conversations I had with parents and adults who shared their regret and despair with me for either not be taught to save and invest as children or neglecting to act on advice to do so. Worse yet, they were repeating the same mistake their parents had made and avoiding doing the same with their children. It turns out, talking to and teaching kids about money is a task many parents find more difficult than speaking in public. Yet, it is crucial to their kids' futures.
So, I want to take this opportunity to encourage you to get involved this financial literacy season with the financial education and empowerment of young people. Sammy Rabbit and I strongly believe both you and they will be glad you did.
Always entrepreneuring! Here's to a Sammyriffic day!
2020 Financial Literacy Season Calendar
National Entrepreneurship Week began 2.15
America Saves Week begins 2.24
Global Money Week begins 3.23
Money Smart Week begins 4.4
Financial literacy month begins 4.1
National Credit Union Youth Week 4.21
American Bankers
Association Teach Children to Save Day 4.24
National Youth Savings Challenge 5.1
Lemonade Day 5.1 - 5.31 (Check the date in your city)
Related Reading
Forbes | Cameron Huddleston | How to Teach Kids Good Money Habits!
Financial Advisors Magazine | Tracey Longo | Advisors Teach Kids to Create a Plan, Delay Spending and Save)
IRIS.xyz | Abby Kovach, CFP & Mom | The Power of Starting the Right Money Habits Early (Abby Kovach)
Kiplinger | Janet Bodnar | Saving with Sammy Rabbit
Marketwatch | Christine DiGangi | Will Your Kid Be a Financial Disaster?
New York Times | Shelley Emling | Teaching Children About Money is a Two Way Street
Chicago Tribune | Humberto Cruz | Kids and Parents Read 1st About Good Money Habits
Washington Post | Margaret Webb Pressler | Kids Get Money Smart
ABC News | Gerri Detweiler | 7 Really Bad Money Habits You May Be Accidentally Teaching Your Kids
Wisconsin Banker Magazine | Mike Semmann - Page 25 | Who is Sammy Rabbit and How is Helping Your Bank?
The Motley Fool | Serena Maranjian | Teach Your Kids to Save
Get Rich Slowly | J.D. Roth | Sammy Rabbit Teaches Kids to Save
Centsai | Sam X Renick | The Cure for Financial Literacy Exists, But It's Not Easy
Humble Dollar | Sam X Renick | Raising Them Right
Credit Union Times | Sam X Renick | Column - Five Tips to Bring Financial Education to Kids
Resources
For kids ages 7+ | Dream Big Financial Literacy Curriculum
For kids ages 5 to 7 | It's a Habit Sammy Rabbit Set
For kids ages 3 to 5 | Sammy Says Series
For kids ages 3 to 5 | Sammy's Saving Alphabet
For kids of all ages | Dream Big Song Program