Financial Literacy Awareness Month

Help Kids Find Their Financial Happiness

Help Kids Find Their Financial Happiness | www.TheHeavyPurse.comApril is Financial Literacy Month, which makes it one of my favorite months of the year. I am a huge proponent of financial literacy, and I am thrilled that we honor the importance of understanding how money works every year. Of course, we need to honor it every day but having a celebratory month helps us bring financial literacy into the mainstream consciousness, which is what matters to me.

Most of you already know that my passion for financial literacy began as a child when my father started teaching me about money. His simple lessons changed my life and even today I can still hear him telling me to make a value-based decision whenever I find myself struggling.

Beyond his unconditional love, financial literacy was one of the most important gifts he gave me. And sadly one that I have come to realize through my 23 years as a Certified Financial Planner is an incredibly rare gift. And not because my father loved me more than your’s did or you love your children, but simply because he broke the unwritten rule followed in most homes — to keep money a taboo topic.

Many times money is not openly discussed because parents believe they are protecting their kids. The unfortunate reality is that it more often does the opposite. Your money secrecy means your children have to figure it out on their own, which often leads to poor decisions because they have never been taught how to think about money or make confident decisions.

We would never just toss a child into a pool who doesn’t know how to swim and walk away, but that is what happens to most kids when they leave home. Don’t do this to your child.

I believe we are all put on this Earth for a reason and mine is to pay forward the lessons my father taught me. It is my deepest desire to help others get Financially Real and find their money happiness. To be able to spend money joyfully, rather than hoard money out of fear or spend mindlessly to satisfy their emotions. Most importantly, to help parents break the money taboo cycle, so children can build a healthy relationship with money and grow up financially confident.

Financial Literacy Video Series

To celebrate this special month, I’m putting together a short series of videos from a recent speaking event to act as a guide as you start having these important conversations with your kids and to feel more financially confident yourself.

This first video is brief introduction as to why money conversations matter.

Coming Soon — The Financially Sound Podcast

I’ve had the great pleasure of being a guest on podcasts but never intended to start my own since I lacked the equipment and knowledge to do it by myself. However, the father of one of my youngest daughter’s friends does and he convinced me (rather easily) that I needed to start my own. After all, talking about money is one of my favorite things to do. 🙂

We just completed our first taping and I can’t wait to share the podcasts with you. Stay tuned for their release in the next couple of weeks.

The Gift of Financial Literacy

As a parent, I absolutely understand the urge to give your children everything they desire. I want to do the same too. But I also know giving your child everything is less of a gift than you may have realized. Teaching them how to achieve success on their own and having a healthy relationship with money are far greater gifts. I hope you’ll join me in making money conversations with your kids a top priority, this month and ever month after.

Shannon

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Comments

  1. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    Congrats on the new podcast Shannon!!! I can't wait to hear it!! As you know, I too am passionate about financial literacy for children. We have made money conversations with my son a priority since he was 5 and he just turned 9 and has his own investment account and more money saved. It takes time and energy to teach kids about money but it is one of the greatest gifts we can give them.
  2. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    Very cool on the podcast Shannon, looking forward to listening to it! As you know, we feel very similarly about working with our kids, and talking with them, about money. There are so many reasons to do it, and is really one of the best ways you can actively help them prepare for what they'll face in life.
  3. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    Looking forward to listen to your podcast. I am working really hard to teach my daughter about money for I am a product of a parent who didn't teach me anything about money and made so many mistakes. I think you have a wonderful cause and I wish you the best of luck with all future endeavors.
  4. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    I'm glad you are starting a podcast! That's exciting and I can't wait to hear it. :)
  5. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    Congrats on the new podcast! I think it's great that you're providing such an important resource to parents. I'm sure many parents want to break the money taboo but just don't know how. I've been pretty good with finances my whole life, but I worry that that is not enough and I sometimes have doubts about my ability to teach my son. Heck, I have a hard time getting him to sit at his high chair for dinner...teaching him financial literacy when the time comes seems extra daunting!
  6. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    My grandparents took me to open a savings account and use my money to invest in CD's as a child. I think I probably started that when I was around 10. The world is so much more sophisticated now, but at least that was a start in learning to save and invest my money. I can't blame my parents for not teaching me much more than that. Now they call me asking for advice.
  7. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    The video series sounds like a great idea! Such a great way to diversify your media offerings. Not that it's your primary goal but...I know advertisers are dying for media personalities/websites that can offer video offerings.
  8. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    Cool stuff about the upcoming podcast...can't wait to listen. We are really working hard with our kids so they understand the basics of money management. My oldest daughter (14) is looking forward to working this summer...she's interested in earning money to put towards her first car. Can't believe we are already there. :)
  9. Monday, April 6th, 2015
    I think you'd be perfect on a podcast. Financial literacy is a huge topic in our house. We probably talk about it too much, but I think that's better than not enough.
  10. Tuesday, April 7th, 2015
    Can't wait to tune into your podcasts! This is exciting! I wish my parents had taught me financial literacy at an earlier age, but I'm also glad that I never made any huge financial mistakes that would have haunted me for years.
  11. Wednesday, April 8th, 2015
    Congrats on everything- and good luck on the Podcast!
  12. Wednesday, April 8th, 2015
    Shannon, SO happy to hear that you are starting a podcast! Also, I wanted to tell you what a powerful video that was. You said SO much in less than two minutes. Your impact will be more powerful than you realize, my friend.
  13. Wednesday, April 8th, 2015
    Hey Shannon! I love this post and absolutely agree with you about talking to your children about money. My daughter and I have had several conversations over the past year or so about money: what it means to borrow; what it means to save; and everything in between. For her 16 birthday, we gave her stocks in a REIT (real estate investment trust) and talked to her about investing more.

    Even with these few discussions about money, she is in a much better position to deal with finances than I was at her age. I'm excited to see what she is able to accomplish over the next few years as a young adult. :)
  14. Thursday, April 9th, 2015
    Love the video! (and looking forward to the podcast)
Shannon Ryan SHANNON RYAN, CFP®
  • Meet Shannon

    "As a Certified Financial Planner, it is my passion to help individuals and families build a healthy relationship with money. I look forward to helping you raise financially confident kids.” - Shannon Ryan