Lots of stuff to do before I fly off for New York on Friday. Chapters to finish, e-newsletter to get out to mailing lists, conferences to register for, future travel plans to arrange, non-writing business to take care of, not only for myself, but also other business for my mom, and on and on. When you're a writer, all those trips for book business may be fun, but they also cost money. So, as a working writer who supports herself from the writing proceeds, I have to spend a LOT of time figuring out how to pay for everything. Travel, especially. Fortunately, I was a CPA once upon a time, so budgeting and keeping track of expenses is part of my DNA, I guess.Actually, learning how to budget is good advice for everyone, no matter what ---take my advice and create a strict budget. Try to stick to it. That's a life skill that everyone benefits from learning. The first step in taking control of your money is LEARNING WHERE YOUR MONEY GOES. Sorry. Sometimes the "teacher" in me jumps out. Which reminds me---
I was out last weekend with three other friends (one was a career teacher who retired last year) and we finished off the evening at our favorite wine bar here in Fort Collins, but having pumpkin spiced lattes instead of wine. As always, our conversations were all over the place and usually accompanied by lots of laughter. Whenever we're out, someone will often stop by our table and comment that we're having way too much fun. Our reply? There's no such thing.
Anyway, my friend is now signed on to teach adults in career-school situations. She has to teach a math course, and we were pelting her with suggestions as to relevant real-life math skills everyone should have, such as: how to figure percentages, understanding credit card charges, how do mortgage payments work, and everyday things like that. Real life skills for the real world. And--we wondered why these things weren't taught in some form in high schools.
What sort of basic life skill info do you wish you'd learned in high school before going out into the "real world?"
9 comments:
I wish they had stressed more about budgets. You're right, budgets are hard to follow, even when you know what you're doing. I think it's a habit (following a budget) people need to get into early in life, not when it's too late and they're trying to figure out what went wrong.
Have a safe trip to New York.
I've heard that some high schools teach you how to balance a checkbook. (I think my daughter missed that class.) But I do believe it's worthwhile to take stock early in your life--decide what matters to you and how much money it would take to achieve it, and plan accordingly. It may not always work out, but at least you have a dream and a goal.
My kids took personal finance in high school, learning how to balance a checkbook, put together a budget, invest, etc. It's hard to believe they passed, watching them in action. Although, how DO you balance a debit card? They don't use checkbooks.
I stumbled across your blog recently and I'm glad I did. I've related to a lot of what you all have shared and I've been entertained as well.
I have been substitute teaching of late, and I was quite pleased to discover that the local high school (my son's alma mater) is doing a pretty good job of this. In addition to having an onsite credit union with special teen oriented programs and savings incentives, the school has a financial spot that is a regular feature of their televised morning show. In this segment, they do things like define compound interest. They explain the differences between fixed rate and adjustible rate mortgages. They explain the "real" cost of charged items if they're paid over time. They run savings models i.e. if you invested this amount today, here is what you would have at age 30, and at age 50 and at age 65, etc.
It's a wonderful program! I find myself wishing I had had this type of instruction at the same age. (We learned to balance checkbooks in school and we filled out a 1040 form using the income and dependent information we were given, but that was the extent of it.
Anyway, thanks for your post. I enjoy your blog!
Mason, Sheila, & Deb---I agree. Starting early is good, but some of us don't have the reason to even think about budgeting until later. So, better late than never, I always say.
And, Deb---as for debit card expenses, I write them in my checkbook as debits along with the checks. Otherwise, I'd never know what the balance was.
Welcome, Hot Heads Groupie---I'm so glad you found us!
And, wow!!! I am blown away by what your son's high school is doing. Fantastic! I'm so impressed I'd like to do something to acknowledge it. Ask the Admin office if they have school fundraisers and silent auctions to raise funds. I will happily donate a set of signed copies of my mysteries. I do that for charities and non-profits and schools all the time.
Where is this school and what's the name?
I wish I'd had a home ec class. Seriously. I can't sew and feel like I've missed out by not knowing. I just don't have time for a class now! :(
Hey, Jenn---Why don't you find a friendly local knit or fiber shop. You'll be able to sit there with a cup of coffee or tea and ask some friendly sort how to start. A lot of shops have stitchery supplies as well. The atmosphere makes it easy to learn. Classes aren't necessary. Just some hands-on instruction from supportive people.
I wish I'd took typing--regret it now!
And really wish the Internet and computer tech stuff had been around when I was in HS. Power point, for example... Though I suppose it's never too late to learn!
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