What You Weren’t Taught In School About Finances Is Hurting You Today

Likely all of you who are reading this has had some level of schooling. I would even go as far as to say, most of you have at least finished high school. Whether you were an over achiever, average, or even someone who struggled in school there was something you missed. Aside from the math, English, history, and even home economics, there was a vital study you likely never got. It would be a basic understanding of money. Why? Something as simple as learning how to manage a bank account or balancing a checkbook was a skill that most schools never teach!

My Extensive Schooling – Still Lacking

I was one of the lucky one’s I feel who had the opportunity to be given a basic teaching of managing a checkbook and writing checks in high school. However, this was rudimentary at best. Besides, in today’s world, checks are not really a thing anymore to be writing! In the last 12 years, my wife and I have written maybe fifty checks? I have heard of many classmates who struggled since high school just trying to make the money work. Beyond high school, I went into a Finance undergraduate where I gained a deeper knowledge of the theories and intricacies of the finance realm. Later I went and got my Master’s in Finance as well to further broaden my knowledge. Even with all of this extensive knowledge of the workings of the finance I still would not have known how to USE money properly in the basic sense. If it weren’t for the help of my father (a CPA and Sr Controller) who taught me about budgeting and my working early on in the banking realm, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

The Struggle For So Many

Without any type of basis of finances to send so many out into the world, they are being given a disservice. America has a huge debt problem, and we add those who don’t have a basic money knowledge into the workforce. Adding more people who struggle with finances to society only adds to the endless cycle of financial struggles. What makes this situation that much more terrible is that so many have brought this up before, but nothing is never done.

So What Can You Do?

The best thing you can do is to take advantage of sites like this and other apps to learn about personal finances. Take it to heart and apply it to your own lives.