Talking to 7th & 8th Graders About Great Money Habits!
On Tuesday, May 10, we have the pleasure and privilege of collaborating with Abound Credit Union to talk to 7th and 8th graders at Fort Knox Middle School about great money habits.
This is a subject we talk about with everyone but primarily elementary school aged children, their parents, teachers and guardians.
Since we do not do it regularly we invited all our friends in Sammy land on LinkedIn to share one main thought or story to share with the students that might penetrate both their "heads" and "hearts" to inspire them to take consistent, sustained action to become everything they are capable of becoming.
Following is what you shared. Thank you for depositing your knowledge with us and permitting us to share it with others to grow our collective capability.
You can connect with and find everyone on LinkedIn!
Ray Springsteen, President / CEO at Abound Credit Union
"Financial education is about financial freedom!" Ray Springsteen, Abound Credit Union 2022 Annual Meeting
Susan Doty, Executive Director, The Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy
Sam Renick has hit on something critical, and often overlooked, here. 7th & 8th graders represent a "sweet spot" in our shared mission to teach students about personal finance. Young people are making decisions regarding what they want their life to become in middle school. What a time to equip them to make their choices count! Sammy, just be yourself and you will be an inspiration.
Read about the unique financial literacy education collaboration between Sammy Rabbit and The Center for Economic Education and Financial Literacy at The University of Texas at Tyler.
Ken Harris, Award-Winning Filmmaker, Puppeteer, Children's Financial Literacy Educator, and Writer
Handling other people's money is a financial responsibility in the workforce. There are many reason's why you may handle someone else's money. This put one in the position of a caretaker for funds not belonging to them. That would fall under financial responsibility as well. Deviating from that could have not only criminal penalties; but civil liabilities as well that will be a financial burden. Having worked as a loss prevention officer and law enforcement field, I can attest to that.
7th and 8th graders have so many ways to earn money...household chores....raking leaves or shoveling snow for neighbors.....in my state of MA a 14 year old with a work permit can work under restricted conditions. Research has show that children already develop financial behaviors and habits at age 7! Financial literacy is significant and should start as early as possible. This is reflected in polls I seen on this platform and on my own polls shared on social media websites.
Read more about Ken Harris in his Sammy Rabbit Childhood Money Memories interview.
James Staton Jr., Founding Partner Top Flight Foundation. Inc.
Set 5 year goals in key areas of life.
Faith - integrity
Family
Finances
Education
Career
Health
Rishi Vamdatt, Founder - Easy Peasy Finance
As a 7th grader myself, the best thing I can suggest to my fellow 7th/8th graders is to learn to distinguish between needs and wants. It is easy to spend all the allowance / cash on something tempting, but it takes a long time to save. If you really crave something, sleep over it - wait for a couple of days to see if you still want it. At the very least, try to find a coupon for it :)
Leslie Girone, Marketing Communications at Institute of Noetic Sciences. Founder - Money Smart 101
I'd share "anyone can be rich" - one of my favorite Sammy songs btw! 7th and 8th graders are hungry for information about money management. Even at that age there is some fear and doubt but also excitement. Teaching them to get in the habit of saving is life-changing.
Teresa Griffith, Business Development Officer at First South Financial Credit Union
Delayed gratification works on so many levels in life. Learning it early will help with so many future decisions. It forces you to plan and work the plan for something you really want -- whether that's the latest Play Station, car or college. And it's not always financially driven. But learning it and incorporating it as a financial concept will help with life decisions throughout your lifetime.
Robert Badal, Arbitration and Mediation Services; Co-Founder, Financial Literacy Project, Santa Barbara
Sam: 7th and 8th grade may be a little young for the concept, but I like to tell young people the following: “Everyone in this room can be in control of their own destiny. You are the creators of your own future”.
Jeff Tyburski, Author: Your Sherpa - Your Guide to Financial Literacy
Set near-term goals. If you save $1 by age 30 it can likely double to $2 by age 40, double again to $4 by age 50, and double again to $8 by age 60. That 'last doubling' yielded $4, 4x your initial savings. PLUS if you actually succeed hitting a near-term goal, it means you adopted the right mindset, developed the right habits, and avoided problems that prevent saving all at a young age...so you will be able to repeat that success and you could be set for life!
John Rings, Financial Literacy & Money Management Consultant
Excellent Poll! When my son was in 7th Grade, I was asked to teach the Financial Literacy & Money Management Section of their ICT-2 now called Cyber foundations 2. We discussed Balancing of Money through Checkbook, Budgeting, How to handle Certain Financial Situations, & Types of Loans. I demonstrated Real Life Examples & made the students participate via Role Play. Still enjoy going out & spending time with the Students.
Byron Wolt, Youth Speaker
When I spoke to high school and middle school students about Money, I told a story of the change jar. The change jar is in my opinion is the best way to get students in the habit of saving. My main point was that when you turn in a change jar it feels like free money - even though it was your money all along. If that feeling of free money feels that good with ZERO interest, imagine how it feels actually increasing your savings with interest! Enjoy the talk and thanks for all you do to help youth with youth with money.
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