Learn from Sharon
Activities to Teach Kids Financial Literacy
Modern parents often wonder when it is the right time to start teaching kids financial literacy. I often advise that as soon as your child knows the difference between a $1 bill and a $20 bill is probably the right time. Some parents assume that it’s best to leave such adult matters for some later time. About 34 percent of moms and dads citing that childhood ends all too soon as it is, which is all the more reason to start laying the groundwork for a healthy financial future as early as possible.
The Power of Mentorship
Success isn’t developed in a bubble. Oprah Winfrey credited Maya Angelou for helping her develop as a TV personality and a human being. “She was there for me always, guiding me through some of the most important years of my life. The world knows her as a poet but at the heart of her, she was a teacher,” Winfrey wrote in a touching Instagram post after the famed poet’s passing in 2014. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg sought advice from Apple’s then-CEO Steve Jobs during Facebook’s early stages, and late CBS anchor Walter Cronkite publicly thanked a high school journalism teacher for inspiring his path.
Recommended Reading for Budding Entrepreneurs
There’s one thing that successful people have in common beyond financial wealth or a diversified portfolio. It’s something that’s inexpensive (or free) and can be found in your local library. …
How Great Leaders Inspire
Vince Lombardi famously said that “Leaders are made, they are not born.” Considered by many to be the greatest coach in NFL history, the Pro Football Hall of Famer believed that with hard work and dedication anyone can become a leader.
New Financial Literacy Scholarships for Teens
Remember when mom taught you to balance a checkbook? Unfortunately, not every child learns how to manage their personal finances at home. Or even at school. One recent study of young adults by The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development showed that more than 60% of American teens don’t know how to complete basic financial tasks such as budgeting and balancing accounts. Yet many of them – as much as 1 in 3 – already use credit cards. In instances where lessons are being taught, the information does not always reflect the changes in how people use money (like paying with phones or apps).
How to Create a Spending Plan
One of the most common topics I’ve encountered while promoting financial literacy as CEO of Pay Your Family First is spending management. Many people focus on earnings without figuring out how and when they are going to distribute (spend) that money. They understand that to be successful, you should keep debts in check and save for the future—they simply don’t know how to make it happen. Everyone spends money. Having a spending plan allows us to be intentional about spending and provides a roadmap to financial goals.
Pursuing Entrepreneurship After Graduation
College graduation is a wonderful achievement for the future of graduates. Studies have shown that degree holders earn at least $1 million more over the course of their lifetime than high school graduates.
Five Smart Budgeting Tips for Busy Professionals
Budgeting is like eating healthy or exercising. We know we should do it; people urge us to do it all the time; and yet, for many, it is still difficult to make a firm commitment. It ends up being one of those things we are always putting off until the next day, or we do it in fits and starts.
Sharon’s Money Manifesto: Five Financial Rules for Success
One of the most rewarding things of my career is sharing what I have learned with others. Nothing inspires me more than seeing someone unlock their full potential, and it’s never too late to start this journey. But it is also important to remember that sound personal financial habits are the foundation to success.
Motivational Magic: How to Start Realizing Your Ambitions
Many of the entrepreneurs I mentor, often ask me what is the key to entrepreneurial success. Without a doubt, passion, the willingness to work hard, a smart business strategy and the right associations are all pivotal to thrive. But even if you have all these things, you can still fail if you simply aren’t motivated to start or persevere when you finally do.
