1. What do you like the most (or the least) about money?
2. What is the first word or image that comes to mind when you think of money?
3. What would the world be like without money?
4. Do you think having lots of money changes people?
5. Do you think money can bring happiness?
6. What would the world be like if everyone had the same amount of money?
7. What is your biggest fear about money?
Talking about money can bring out feelings of confusion, insecurity and fear. These are all things that get in the way of learning. We can look at becoming more financially literate as a way to improve our lives. If we are able to honestly look at our own values, beliefs and assumptions about money, we can begin to shed light on some of the blocks we have around creating and using money more effectively.
The topic of money does not need to be a secretive, dirty topic. It is okay to discuss our strengths and limitations related to money. In this way we can look for areas to improve upon. Money plays a huge role in our lives and the more we learn useful financial information and learn how to manage money effectively, the more successful we will be at navigating our world and enjoying our lives.
The Columbia Basin Alliance for Literacy offers Financial Literacy (Money Sense) workshops in various communities across the Basin. Topics include:
· Goal setting
· Budgeting
· Income and taxes
· Saving and investing
· Credit
· Credit scores, ratings and reports
· Debt
· Being a smart consumer
Consider signing up for a workshop or learning more about making sense of money.
Please check your Community Literacy Coordinator for more information.
By Laurie MacDonald