Guest Blogger Darray Robinson
In this special guest blog, Sammy Rabbit is proud to showcase the journey and insights of Darray Robinson.
Darray Robinson is a high school Junior passionate about connecting people, fostering growth, and making a positive difference in her community. As the Vice President of my local FBLA chapter, Darray is focused on creating opportunities for collaboration and leadership development. She is also actively involved in her school’s Student Council, as well as serving on the Teen Advisory Board at Library 21c, where she helps organize initiatives that benefit local youth. Darray's aim is to major in Architectural Engineering upon entering college. She hopes to eventually open her own firm. She also plans on releasing her own line of mystery fiction books one day.
My Journey
My personal finance journey began through participation in virtual business competitions focused on financial literacy and budgeting. A recent highlight was winning the LifeSmarts consumer finance competition with a classmate. Together, we tackled a challenging quiz on consumer rights, legal protections, and key financial practices. These experiences sparked my passion for money management and inspired me to help others gain financial knowledge.
Through my involvement in business organizations like FBLA, I've realized the importance of financial literacy for young people. Many students, as early as ages 11-14, begin earning money beyond their allowance, yet few schools offer courses on essential skills such as budgeting, saving, responsible spending, or time management.
Recognizing these gaps inspired me to develop strategies for managing my time and money effectively. By equipping students with these skills early, we can empower them to make informed choices and avoid common pitfalls in adulthood.
In this blog, I’ll share insights from my journey and offer strategies for balancing financial responsibilities with a fulfilling social life. Whether it's budgeting for extracurricular activities, managing income from a part-time job, or making smart spending decisions, successful time and financial management is achievable with hard work, discipline, and firm boundaries to stay on track with your goals.
Mastering Time and Money
I firmly believe that managing money and time wisely are ESSENTIAL lIfe skills, yet many young people enter adulthood unprepared to handle them effectively. Time management, in particular, is just as crucial as money management because both are limited resources that require careful planning and discipline.
As a high school student, I've learned that managing my time effectively allows me to stay on top of schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and my part-time job without feeling overwhelmed. Like money, time can slip away if I’m not intentional about how I use it. Procrastination leads to missed opportunities and stress, while proper time management helps me achieve my goals without burning out.
Just as budgeting helps control spending, time management helps balance my responsibilities. Without a plan, I might skip a crucial study session or miss a deadline, resulting in consequences similar to overspending. Both skills require self-discipline, and the earlier I develop good habits in these areas, the better prepared I’ll be for adulthood. Prioritizing time and money is essential for sustained long-term success and avoiding unnecessary stress.
Developing habits like time blocking and budgeting early is key to preparing for adulthood. These skills not only help balance school, extracurriculars, and work but also ensure financial goals are met without feeling overwhelmed.
One of the best ways to gain wisdom in both areas is by seeking advice from experienced adults. Parents, family members, or professionals like school secretaries, who manage time-sensitive tasks and financial operations, can offer valuable lessons on budgeting, tracking expenses, and making informed decisions.
Tips on Two Crucial Money Habits
One: Building Smart Saving Habits
When it comes to saving, starting small and building consistent habits can make a significant difference. One simple yet effective strategy I follow is saving a dollar a day and gradually increasing that amount over time. When I was younger, I used a piggy bank and taught myself the discipline of not opening it until a specific day, whether at the end of the week or month. This practice helped me develop patience and resist impulsive spending on things like candy bars or glitter slime—an essential skill for achieving financial goals.
Two: Overcoming Impulse Spending
If you struggle with overspending or impulsive buying, there are several effective strategies to help break those habits. One approach is to use banking features, such as locking your debit or credit card, when visiting places with tempting products or eye-catching displays, like shopping malls or entertainment venues. Unlock your card only when you’re ready to make necessary purchases, such as groceries or other essentials. This will help you prevent unnecessary spending and staying with your budget.
Another helpful tactic is blocking non-essential shopping apps or websites after a certain time, especially if you’re prone to late-night impulse purchases. Additionally, productivity blocker apps can help limit time spent on platforms like YouTube Shorts, which are often filled with ads and “must-have” product videos that encourage impulsive spending. These strategies can help you stay within your budget and remain focused on your financial goals.
Conclusion
By implementing techniques like budgeting, saving gradually, and managing screen time, you can take control of both your time and finances. Developing responsible habits now will benefit you in the present and future. Success with money and time management isn’t just about earning money and scheduling tasks; it’s about making thoughtful choices and maintaining the discipline to use both in ways that align with your dreams and goals.
Taking small steps today can lead to greater financial independence and a more secure future. I challenge you to start now by setting achievable financial goals and practicing mindful time management to build a strong foundation for your future.
Discover more about our Featured Guest Blogger
To learn more about Darray, connect with her on LinkedIn: Darray Robinson.
Attention Young Leaders
We welcome and invite you to participate in Sammy's 'Be the Change' financial literacy initiative for college and high school students.
(1) Join peers advancing awareness on the importance of early age, youth, and family financial education by having your journey into financial literacy featured as a Sammy Rabbit Guest Blogger.
Index of Student Blogs (Click and scroll down)
(2) Then volunteer as a Sammy Rabbit Ambassador or Intern championing financial literacy in your community and around the globe! Learn more in these blogs or by CONTACTING Team Sammy today! We welcome your questions and suggestions on Sammy Rabbit and his mission to get kids, families & communities financially literate.
