START "EM YOUNG"

Riding in a car for three hours with two sets of twin grandgirls all age 5 can teach you a thing or two… especially when it comes to football!  Yes, you read that correctly.  Like 65 percent of Americans, my sons-in laws are fans of football and each girl was eager to share their own opinion of what football team was best.  However, one did state she couldn’t pull for the team she loved at home because her dad would kick her out of the house.  Now, why I am certain our daughter would not allow that to happen, I was impressed that she still loudly stated her team of choice over her dads obvious objection to “her” team.

So, how did these girls know so much about football?  They each knew “their” teams fight song, word for word, and definitely didn’t care that their cousin sitting right next to them was cheering (loudly I might add) for a different team.    Now I am aware that 42% of women are also fans of football.  But I am certain our daughters don’t have their fantasy football team lined up. So where does this come from?  

That only leaves me to believe this love and knowledge of the game comes from the men in their lives.  As a grandmother this makes me smile.  Because I am certain having dads with such a passion for something that the enthusiasm extends to little 5 year old GIRLS will extend way beyond football.

As a banker it also encourages me that it is never too early to begin teaching young people, whether it is football or the value of a dollar. As my children say, “Start Em Young”.   It also makes me think maybe I need to invest in football stock!

Just In Time

Once again this morning I read why “just in time” financial education may be too late. While I understand the concept, I never think teaching financial education is wrong.  Just like I think we are never too old or young to learn.

However, I recently found myself wondering if there is a correlation between early financial literacy and real-world financial success. As much as I would like to believe there is, we simply can’t control other factors that might influence financial behavior.

Growing up, in what some might consider poverty, money was only discussed in terms of the “lack of” and “saving money” was never heard of.    However, my siblings and I each have our own unique take on the value of money and what financial security looks like.  While my sister is a risk taker and makes larger sums of money, my brother is very low maintenance and I on the other hand, need and desire financial security.

So, given that we grew up in the same house with the same parents, what influenced our behavior?  Was it the birth order, our peers, our spouses, our career choices or maybe a combination of all? Who knows?

But one thing is certain, children learn by example and then they choose to either follow or lead!  Therefore, I plan to keep educating our future and myself.  Because one day these financially independent young people will determine my healthcare!