For many teenagers, the typical lifestyle is to go to school, come home, do homework or extracurriculars and occasionally go out with friends. Especially in such an amazing community like Johns Creek, many of us aren’t worrying about money. So, when we get into college, we’re thrown into the deep end.
That is why Student Leadership North (formerly Student Leadership Johns Creek) has been providing financial literacy sessions for its student leaders. Recently, approximately 100 young leaders in high school got to hear about issues like cybersecurity from financial experts, including Chelsea Coclough, the CFO at First American Bank and Trust Company.
The young leaders’ day began with a forum from MoneyTalks, a program hosted by the Secretary of State. The panel included notable figures like Art Terrell, a renowned radio personality; Sileta Bell, President of the Bell Consultants; Ebony Francis, the CEO of AvestiCorp; and Leanne Craport, Manager at Deloitte.
From them, an important lesson emerged: it goes beyond save vs. spend. Financial literacy also refers to small things like having a limited number of credit cards, understanding your credit score and keeping an eye on your subscriptions. My best takeaway might have been that I should always stay on my parents’ phone plan.
The group also had the opportunity to hear from Hardy Abbott, a business development leader at Vystar Credit Union, a sponsor of Student Leadership North. From him, the students learned about budgeting basics. He also added the incentive of a dollar bill or candy. On a more serious note, his interactive presentation demonstrated the need to have a well-thought-out plan for income.
For me, this was my second time attending Student Leadership North’s financial literacy session, but the lesson was just as important as the first. One thing I can confidently say I have internalized is that I must reach a point where I never feel guilty with my money, but rather feel secure.
I believe that the students took away just as much as I did from the panel and the presentation. So, for this reason, I hope that these financial literacy sessions continue well into the future and perhaps even expand, so that each teenage student can see the importance of their money. One of the biggest issues that adults face is financial issues, and perhaps by providing a little more awareness from a younger age, we can invest in a brighter future for everyone.
Financial literacy also refers to small things like having a limited number of credit cards, understanding your credit score and keeping an eye on your subscriptions.
One thing I can confidently say I have internalized is that I must reach a point where I never feel guilty with my money, but rather feel secure.