Money Club by Lindsey

Money Club by Lindsey - September 2019 Scholarship Essay

They say school is supposed to help prepare you for the “real world.” In hindsight, I believe there could have been some more practical extracurricular classes available. My vote is a club devoted to money! Call the club something fancy like, “Cash Club,” or “Money Mind!” Just as it is important to have extracurricular activities in the arts, sports, or debate, money and finance is a topic that the normal curriculum does not really spend time on. I think it’s important to understand early the value of money, have a strategy, or even just comfortability and exposure to some of the ideas surrounding this topic. Honestly, all I recall learning in school was how to a write check in third grade (not so applicable nowadays)! A club like this could fulfill teens curiosity and expose them to valuable knowledge at an early age.

Money and finances are complex topics that even adults have a hard time with. In fact, many adults have enormous fears around money. So much so that they never get a handle on it! Although many teens may not have much-- if any money of their own, they certainly have an awareness about it. Just flip on the radio to hear another artist singing about money in some form. Whether it’s on the news, or they hear their parents talking, teens are conscious about finances. However, for many teens, it remains a mystery for a long time if not indefinitely.

There are many different facets to money that could be presented at the high school level, even if teens don’t have any or a lot of their own. Some activities could include; looking at what minimum wage is, what credit is, and the various ways to save money. Another could be how the stock market works. Teens could monitor some stocks/companies that interest them daily. There are many wise people who have written and presented on the topic and this material could be read and viewed within the club. Abundance is another interesting concept to address, as well as the idea that money is an exchange of value. International views on money, trade and market value are more topics that could really help broaden students’ views on how the global economy works.

We will all have a lifelong relationship with money whether we resist it or embrace it, so starting out with a positive, fun, and informational club is a great beginning to that connection. I propose an extra-curricular program devoted to the exploration of this topic to expose teens to this diverse and important concept in a safe and enriching way.