Most times it is not complex algorithms or equations we need to know to get ahead – it’s basic math.
To succeed at personal finance you can’t follow the crowd and popular wisdom. You need to know when “that don’t add up!”
Credit card debt. Mortgage interest. Taxes. Investments. Income. Expenses.
Addition, subtraction, multiplication and division.
Excel at arithmetic.
I have created something called “Grandma School”. Did it with my Grandkids, and now do for other children. They spend the day with me, and we start with cooking basics (we make pancakes); then move on to finance: credit cards, mortgages, stocks, interest, college loans, etc. They must bring a calculator and do a life budget making 15.00 an hour, then do one making 50.00 an hour. They sew on a button and repair a seam; learn about thank you cards and when to use them; checking the tire pressure on a car. You get the idea. These are basic life skills which often are overlooked in school curriculum. We have a wonderful time together.
Keep going Aunt Donna. That approach is awesome. So many kids need the hands on experience or an immediate answer to a question. Just creating the experience for an individual may spark the passion inside someone they never new they had. Putting any concept into practical experience for the learner is often the best way to build confidence and gain experience all in one lesson. Awesome approach.
Auntie – kudos to you! Basic Life Skills should be the course name – our society is slipping and your energy and wisdom should be in duplication across the land! Thank you in advance for all those coming down the pike you will be making an impact on – Positively!
I agree Aunt Donna! Children need to learn basic life skills, and it sounds like you know how to make it interesting and fun for them.