Apr. 15, 2008 at 2:27pm

You mean money doesn't grow on trees?

Posted by Guest Blogger in Talking to Members, The Power of Creativity
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Have you walked into a high school classroom lately? It’s like you’ve stepped into another world, not just another building! The spirit, the energy, the texting – it’s contagious. Well, maybe not the texting. I still prefer face-to-face, over-the-phone or email communication. But the spirit and energy of teenagers is unmistakable.

The trick is to tap into that energy and get them to focus on positive and useful matters, like financial smarts. How do you get a bunch of smart, tech-savvy, me-me-me, now-now-now, environmentally-conscious teens with short attention spans to buy into financial literacy? (FYI, all of those adjectives came from an informal poll of my co-workers!)

It’s easy. Just bring it to their level.

Writing checks? That’s old school. Don’t spend a lot of time on this ancient practice. When I asked my 14-year-old niece if she’d rather pay for something with a check or a debit card, I already knew the answer – debit card. What I didn’t know was why. When I asked, I was surprised by her answer. I expected to hear something about how much easier or faster the debit card is. Instead, she said, “Because I don’t have to write.” Today’s teens aren’t writing; they’re typing or texting. So, talk to students about debit cards and show them how they can track their debit card purchases and ATM withdrawals and deposits with quick shorthand abbreviations.

Forget preachin’ about the money they’ll need in their golden years. They can’t even think past this week, let alone 50 years down the road. Show them the rule of 72. Let them see how quickly they can double their money if they start right now. They’ll see that their first car doesn’t have to be a far-off dream, but a reality if they play their cards right.

And while you’re chattin’ about cars, show them how to shop around for interest rates. Tell them why they should compare auto loan rates just as they’d compare the prices of iPods, prom dresses or skateboards.

The key is to speak their language. Give examples they can actually relate to. Take advantage of their energy rather than fight against it. If you’re sincere and respectful, they’ll get it.

Jodi Jones is the Public Relations Officer for the Mountain America Credit Union and a board member of the Utah Jump$tart Coalition.

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