I started volunteering with Junior Achievement in San Diego more than 10 years ago, guiding tweens and teens as they participated in the organization's personal finance simulation. On those days, classrooms full of 10-12 year olds arrive at the JA Finance Park in Mission Gorge for an interactive experience that teaches financial literacy, career development and the tradeoffs involved with financial decision making. They research career paths, educational opportunities and the costs of living including housing, transportation and insurance, and they make decisions about their future lifestyles. Comments I have personally overheard:
"Cars cost HOW MUCH? I'm taking the bus."
"Now I understand why my parents say no when I ask for video games."
"I better start saving now if I want my own apartment."
and my personal favorite, ""Kids are really expensive. I might just want a cat."
Last year I had the additional opportunity to volunteer as a JA mentor for three high school seniors in Chula Vista. Every month we met to talk about their career ambitions, work experience and "the real world." They were fanatic about understanding taxes. They practiced how they would network with CEOs. They thoughtfully planned internships. It was a joy to watch connect the dots on how their futures could unfold.
Beyond these expieriences, JA also offers financial literacy camps, community events and field trips to BizTown, their 10,000-square-foot mini-city comprised of 21 life-sized San Diego businesses where students run a business, earn paychecks, open bank accounts, pay taxes, vote, and are challenged to earn a profit.
Personal finance is a topic extremely close to my heart. As the daughter of a teacher and a park ranger, I was raised to understand that your career path determines your financial opportunites, but having a fulfilling career is worth financial tradeoffs. I was fortunate that my parents were transparent about their expenses, their budget and the decisions they made regarding wants v. needs for my brother and me. The work Junior Achievement does to educate future generations about their own trajectory is vital, and I strongly believe in this cause.
Please join me in donating to financial literacy for the next generation.