Finally…Financial Literacy
Navigating the world of personal finance can be incredibly intimidating and confusing. Many people feel a societal pressure to conceal any discomfort with finances, leading to shame when admitting we don’t know something. But why should we feel that way? Personal finance isn’t typically taught in most education systems, and it's rarely discussed at home.
“Why don’t they teach this in school?”
So, what are we left with? We turn to the internet to explore our questions, only to face another dilemma.
The web is overflowing with information on managing money, but how do you know who to trust? Just as you wouldn’t take driving lessons from someone without a driver’s license, you shouldn’t take financial advice from broke people. However, with so much conflicting advice out there, it's easy to feel unsure of what to believe and uncomfortable with the possibility of missing something crucial.
To make matters worse, for many of us who spend our early adulthood (pivotal years for establishing a financial foundation) in higher education, financial literacy isn't a priority. We focus on our studies, extracurricular activities, or part-time work just to make ends meet. Unfortunately, this approach only takes us so far.
That’s why in 2019, I created the first iteration of my talk on financial literacy, aptly titled, “Finally…Financial Literacy.”
This title resonates particularly with young professionals listening who have dedicated much of their lives to didactic education in pursuit of their career goals.
For potentially the first time, this presentation fully immerses you into the world of personal finance. Since there’s really only so much you can cover in an hour-long presentation, I aim to scratch the surface and stimulate an appetite for more self-directed learning on the most relevant topics. I cover all the essentials: creating a budget, buying vs. renting, student loan repayment strategies, credit scores, saving for retirement, and even some nuances of loan capitalization, refinancing, and consolidating.
Over the years, this presentation has evolved as my personal finance journey matured and I gained more applicable life experience. It's a lot easier to educate others on paying off student loans, buying a first home, and managing the expenses of raising a child when you’ve experienced it firsthand.
After several years of delivering this presentation, it still brings me immense joy to see the excitement and inspiration in these young professionals. Those silently burdened by massive student loan debt feel a sense of relief knowing what's possible. Early practitioners realize the potential of utilizing their income to its fullest. Interestingly, I also leave each presentation feeling reinvigorated and more inspired to help more people and share the possibility of financial freedom.
So here I am, encouraging YOU to unlock your potential, embrace the change, and take control of your future. It’s time to grow in your own personal financial literacy…finally.
