Financial Literacy

I didn't always like school. I guess it was something about the early mornings and continuous homework assignments that just weren't that appealing to me. Ya know?? However, a course on money.. Cha Ching!! Now for that I would have shown up early and stayed late!!!
A lot of kids in south Dallas are also staying late.. taking a course AFTER school on Financial Literacy. What impressed me is that the instructors made teaching fun and the students had tangible evidence of their success... most notably a growing bank account. As I reported in the story, they learn how to write checks, maintain a balance in a savings or checking account, and earn money by doing odd jobs around the Community Center where they take the course. These are life skill lessons they may not learn elsewhere.
The best lesson? Perhaps it's that they learn to separate what they want from what they need. One of the students I interviewed is Barry Ford. He's quite a character... very smart and not afraid to share his opinions. Trust me, he has a lot to say. He's also very insightful. He tells me he definitely wants the "bling bling." (Expensive cars, jewelry and loads of cash for those of you who may not know. Take a look at videos on BET or MTV for visuals) Anyway, Barry says he's learned that before all of these luxuries, he wants to be able to afford the necessities. When I asked what those necessities may be, he told me clothes, food and an education. He REALLY wants to go to college.
A plus young man!!!