Submitted by:
Ladon Brumfield
Executive Director
Girls Rule!
www.girlz-rule.org
Girls Rule! members were very excited about the 2008 Presidential Election. Many of our girls worked with their parents and local communities to support the campaign to elect Barack Obama to the highest office in the land, President of the United States of America.
Two of our members took their support a step further. They joined Girls Rule Executive Director, Ladon Brumfield as she traveled to the election battle ground state of Indiana where they spent two days supporting local efforts to Barack the Vote!
On November 4, 2008 not only did Barack Obama make history by becoming the Nation's first African American President, but he won the battle ground state to Indiana by fewer than 5oo votes! This was the first time that a Democratic Presidential candidate had won the state in 44 years.
Below is Miora's story...
October 25th, 2008
Today Maya, Ms. Ladon and I went campaigning for....BARACK OBAMA! We awoke at around 6:00am to get ready. BIG YAWN! I was sleepy - but soooo excited! I've never been involved in supporting a political campaign before and wasn't quite sure what to expect but I really wanted to help out. My friend Maya, our Girls Rule Chaplain also liked Barack Obama and asked if she could go to Indiana with us so we picked her up at about 7:30am. After stocking up on donuts and milk we hit the road toward Indiana. I read on http://www.barackobama.com/ that a Democratic candidate had not won in Indiana for 44 years! WOW. But since a lot of people there liked Barack Obama the Democrats and Republicans are running neck and neck for the Presidency. As we drove to the headquarters Maya and I talked about all of the abandoned houses we saw along the road. My mom said that many of them were forclosed on because of the economy, the flooding that they had there and as a result of the steel mill industry dying years ago. What the heck are steel mills, right? I asked my mom the same thing but it's too long to write about! But a lot of people lost their jobs and didn't have money to spend at the businesses there. Sad.
We made it to the headquarters and they helped us to understand what early voting was and why it was important to be a part of the voting process. When we left there we began canvassing....and boy was I nervous when we went to the first door! It was easy though! Plus my mom likes talking to people. We probably pass hundreds of people on the street every day and don't say a word so today it was interesting to see what happens when we do talk. Some people are going through so much. We met one man who was 52 years old and had never voted but he said that he was motivated to become a part of this election so he registered a few months ago! We met another family who had been hit very hard by floods in their neighborhood. Their daughters were soooo cute! The dad was also really motivated to be a part of the voting process. We met soooo many people and it was a really long, cold day but it was fun and for a good cause. It seemed like Mr. Obama had a lot of support in Indiana. I prayed that he would win on the ride home.
We want Barack! Gotta have Barack!
We want Barack! Gotta have Barack!
Miora B, age 11
Treasurer, Girls Rule!
http://www.girlz-rule.org/
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Girls Rule! News: Teaching Kids about Financial Responsibility
Teaching Kids Financial Responsibility
By: Ladon Brumfield, Executive Director
Girls Rule!
www.girlz-rule.org
In todays world of "plastic purchases," many kids are growing up with little understanding of the financial realities of life. As parents, our paychecks are directly deposited into our accounts, we pay bills online, and use credit or debit cards to make purchases.
While these methods are certainly convenient, they may be robbing our children of the valuable lessons they will carry into adulthood. What can we do today, to teach our children the value of money? What tools and experiences will they need to become fiscally responsible adults? Most importantly, how do we get started?
There are many ways to teach your kids about money. One place to start is with an allowance. By giving your children an allowance, you are beginning an important conversation that will hopefully continue through to adulthood. It also gives you and your spouse an opportunity to evaluate your own financial habits and goals, changing any bad habits that you may be struggling with.
When determining an allowance, it is necessary to first decide what you are trying to teach your kids. For younger kids, it is a good idea to teach the basics of saving. A young child may be given 10 dimes each week. This makes it easy for her to understand the concepts of saving. One basic breakdown is 10% to long term savings (like a college fund,) 20% to savings (for a special toy, etc.) and 70% to spend.
Use three different jars, each week putting one dime in the college fund, two dimes into savings, leaving seven dimes to spend. The concept is that this equation for saving will become a lifelong habit, continuing as the allowance increases.
When teaching older kids to budget, give them an amount that can cover their needs, but will still require them to make decisions about their purchases. Decide together what purchases they will be responsible to pay for with their money. This is the time to establish expectations.
You may also teach basic budgeting skills to make sure that they understand that the money has to last the whole week, month, or "pay period." A few failures may help to reinforce these lessons, and ensure success later on.
In high school, encourage your child to seek employment, and become even more financially independent. Hopefully, by now your child has established good financial habits. Now is the time to open up their own bank account with a debit card, and a separate savings account. Giving children the opportunity to succeed or fail with a debt card while still at home, can help to prepare them for financial success when they leave home to begin college or their career.
Good luck!
Ladon Brumfield
Executive Director
Girls Rule!
http://www.girlz-rule.org/
By: Ladon Brumfield, Executive Director
Girls Rule!
www.girlz-rule.org
In todays world of "plastic purchases," many kids are growing up with little understanding of the financial realities of life. As parents, our paychecks are directly deposited into our accounts, we pay bills online, and use credit or debit cards to make purchases.
While these methods are certainly convenient, they may be robbing our children of the valuable lessons they will carry into adulthood. What can we do today, to teach our children the value of money? What tools and experiences will they need to become fiscally responsible adults? Most importantly, how do we get started?
There are many ways to teach your kids about money. One place to start is with an allowance. By giving your children an allowance, you are beginning an important conversation that will hopefully continue through to adulthood. It also gives you and your spouse an opportunity to evaluate your own financial habits and goals, changing any bad habits that you may be struggling with.
When determining an allowance, it is necessary to first decide what you are trying to teach your kids. For younger kids, it is a good idea to teach the basics of saving. A young child may be given 10 dimes each week. This makes it easy for her to understand the concepts of saving. One basic breakdown is 10% to long term savings (like a college fund,) 20% to savings (for a special toy, etc.) and 70% to spend.
Use three different jars, each week putting one dime in the college fund, two dimes into savings, leaving seven dimes to spend. The concept is that this equation for saving will become a lifelong habit, continuing as the allowance increases.
When teaching older kids to budget, give them an amount that can cover their needs, but will still require them to make decisions about their purchases. Decide together what purchases they will be responsible to pay for with their money. This is the time to establish expectations.
You may also teach basic budgeting skills to make sure that they understand that the money has to last the whole week, month, or "pay period." A few failures may help to reinforce these lessons, and ensure success later on.
In high school, encourage your child to seek employment, and become even more financially independent. Hopefully, by now your child has established good financial habits. Now is the time to open up their own bank account with a debit card, and a separate savings account. Giving children the opportunity to succeed or fail with a debt card while still at home, can help to prepare them for financial success when they leave home to begin college or their career.
Good luck!
Ladon Brumfield
Executive Director
Girls Rule!
http://www.girlz-rule.org/
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
