A Subject that REALLY Matters – Personal Finance

Don’t get me wrong.  I know education is important.  I took the time and money to get two master’s and a teaching credential!  Education is my passion!  But I find that sometimes what is really, really important in LIFE is not always taught in traditional school settings.

AND THAT IS WRONG!

Yes.  I’m yelling.  Understanding money and economics saves lives and relationships.  It gives a person freedom.  Money is a tool.  And we need to teach our kids how to use it.

Silvia Alabmert Hala is the owner of Creative Wealth International, an amazing company that offers personal finance curricula and activities.  Join me in this episode as Silvia and I talk about personal finance, my experience with one of the Creative Wealth products, the Money Game, and more!

Enjoy!

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Book Recommendations for Your Teen

It’s the beginning of December, and if you’re like me, you’re trying to figure out last-minute gifts. When my kids were growing up, I would always have a pile of books next to their stockings. The entire time I’ve been raising my kids, I’ve been trying to instill a love of books in them. One way I did that was to get them lots of books each Christmas.  It was just easier to put a big pile of books next to their stocking rather than wrap them all up.

So, I thought today that I would share some of the books that I have read this year because if I left it open to all of the books that I’ve read in the youth or young adult section, it would just take too long. I added a couple of classics in, too.  I’ve been reading some young adult books with my students this year that have really stood out for me.  I want to share those with you to give you some ideas for books that you wouldn’t think of reading because most of these are books I didn’t read with my own kids.  Enjoy!

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Preparing for the Careers of the Future

Navigating the uncharted waters of the future can be a daunting task, especially for homeschooling parents. The world is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and it often feels like we’re preparing our children for a destination that remains hidden in the fog of uncertainty. In these turbulent times, how can we equip our kids with the skills and knowledge they need when the very landscape of tomorrow remains elusive?

It’s true; the subjects we diligently teach and the experiences we curate for our children might not align perfectly with the demands of future employers. But perhaps therein lies the beauty of homeschooling – the ability to foster a holistic, adaptable, and forward-thinking education.

In this age of rapid change, memorizing facts and figures alone won’t suffice. Instead, we must cultivate in our children a love for learning, a hunger for exploration, and a resilience that enables them to tackle the unknown with confidence. By nurturing these essential qualities, we empower our children to not only adapt to the shifting tides of the job market but to become architects of their own destinies.

Consider this: the skills needed in the future job market may not be limited to traditional subjects. Tomorrow’s employers may prize creativity, critical thinking, problem-solving, adaptability, and emotional intelligence above all else. As homeschooling parents, we have the freedom to instill these attributes through a diverse range of educational experiences.

Interesting in learning more?  Check out this week’s episode, where I share my research on the top 10 skills we should be teaching our kids to prepare them for the careers of the future!

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No Teenagers – a Different Way to Look at Things

There are so many negative stereotypes of teens today.  They are rebellious, moody, lazy, and unmotivated.  Just last week, I was talking to a woman whose teen regularly swears and screams at her.

What if I told you it didn’t need to be this way?  And it starts with YOU.

In this week’s episode, I talk about why “teenagers” aren’t allowed in my home.  And, no.  I don’t kick my kids out when they turn thirteen.

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Dennis DiNoia – Sharing a Love of Math

I don’t know about you, but the idea of having to teach upper-level math to my kids made me question our decision to homeschool.  It didn’t STOP me.  I decided I would figure it out when I got there.  But math was not my favorite subject.  Teaching it to little kids is fun!  “How many red M&Ms are there?  What happens if we eat 2?” type of math I can handle no problem.  And then we throw in the non-traditional learner, and the math gets even more challenging to teach!  My three older kids could take a textbook and learn whatever (even if they didn’t like it), but my youngest two, especially with math, needed something different.  And, to be honest, I wish I had been able to do better in math with all of them.

What I needed to find is someone who loved math and understood learning styles.  And that is Mr. D and everyone who works at Mr. D Math.   

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Mandi Frost – The Benefits of Finding a Coach for Your Teen

Hey there! I’m excited to share with you an upcoming podcast episode where I chat with Mandi Frost, an academic coach who partners with parents to coach students.

What’s interesting is that Mandi doesn’t just coach students – she also coaches parents. She believes that a three-way partnership is crucial for success when working with a child. That way, everyone is on the same page, and the child can get the support they need both at home and with their coach.

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DaleTroy – Setting Your Student Up for College Success

Dale Troy is a College Success Coach and Certified Health Coach. Parents hire her to help their children transition successfully from high school to college.

Dale’s experience in helping college students started with her own three daughters. All three of her daughters graduated from Yale College, and she is a graduate of Yale College and Yale Law School. Dale helps students get good grades, make great friends, and stay healthy, both physically and mentally.

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Kristin Clark – Untangling the Road to a Genius College Experience

My interview with Kristin Clark was so enjoyable!  We are kindred spirits when it comes to realizing the genius in others.  I love how she uses the Clifton Strengths Test to help the students she works with create a vision for their future.

Kristin wants everyone to discover that they can do something they love, where they wake up every day, and it’s not work. She helps people understand their natural talents and what gifts they bring to the world.

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