Welcome!
Thanks for expressing an interest in maintaining, organizing, and educating yourself, and your family, about your personal finances!
What's been going on...
Webb-Davis speaks at Total Health Seminar at Faith Christian Church
Start Money Smart was asked to speak on a panel at the Faith Christian Church, located on Harvard Street in Dorchester, MA. The four day program was designed to celebrate the 27th Anniversary of the church and its founding. The theme of the weekend was "Total Health" and Jameel was asked to speak on Financial Health. Other panelists covered topics on emotional health, spiritual health, and physical health. It was a wonderful event and was well received by its many attendees.
What's coming up...
Rediscovery, Inc. has asked Jameel Webb-Davis to be a guest instructor for a financial literacy program. Rediscovery, Inc. is a small nonprofit, community based, group home and independent living program that offers services to youth of ages 16-22 who are in the care/custody of one of the Massachusetts state systems of care. Their Financial Literacy program is a series of one to two hour workshops each of which covers a different aspect of personal finance that is pertinent to youth development. Learn more about Rediscovery, Inc. and its programs.
Quick Links...
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What are your kids doing over the Summer?
When: June 21st - 22nd or June 25th - 29th
Where: #2 Militia Drive, Lexington (next to Grace Chapel)
What: For Teenagers (ages 13 - 18)
- Money Myths & More
- All About Checking Accounts
- All About Paychecks
- Be Smart About Credit Cards
- Paying Bills is NOT Common Sense
For Parents/Adults (ages 19+) - Call about upcoming Saturday Classes
It's not what you make, it's what you owe!
I realized this when I was in my early twenties. I was making about $8.50 an hour working for an insurance company as a Licensing Specialist. Among my crowd, this was considered a very good job and a pretty good salary. However, I couldn't make ends meet. So I went out and got a second job.
When a friend asked me about my salary at the insurance company, her comment was, "Why do you need to work the second job when you make such good money at the insurance company?" My response was, "Well, it's not what you make, it's what you owe?"
My friend didn't ask about the amount of debt I was in, and how much money it took to pay my bills each month.
It's amazing how, in our society, we only focus on salaries when we think about financial success. If someone makes $100,000 a year, they must be very successful, right? However, what if that same person has two mortgages, makes payments on two cars, pays credit card bills, auto insurance, electricity, water, gas, cable, internet, telephone, commuting, food, supplies... How much extra do you think they have in their pocket on a Friday night? Don't be surprised if it's not much.
Conversely, someone making $10 an hour that has no debt, lives with their parents, and takes the T to work could have much more extra money to play with.
So what's the point? A big salary doesn't equal financial success. And someone who makes plenty of money is not necessarily going to have more to spend.
Start Money Smart has classes for adults, parents, and teenagers that address these and other myths regarding money. Check out our website for more information.
Next month...
Debt doesn't ruin lives, not managing debt does!
See what's new on the website!
- Review other organizations with financial literacy information, tools for parents, and articles to review. Check out our new Resources link.
- Our Blog is coming soon - all your seminar questions answered!
- Check out the new Flash Intro! Click here!
