I realized that the whole teaching in school was focused on imbibing knowledge of a lot of subjects but with little emphasis on Money. Money whose value is felt by all and without which the standard of life would be nothing to write home about.
I discovered that it was not really the fault of the teachers after a lot of thinking. They did not have that knowledge and hence could not impact it in others, you can not give what you do not have after all. So I began to find ways to educate myself.
These teachings began at about my 400 Level in the University. Before now, I had a little idea of some financial matters but they were too basic to be regarded as significant.
Its been about 3 years since I began these lessons, even though I can not claim to have fully grasped it, I am no longer where I used to be. My financial literacy level is at a very comfortable place.
With the benefits I have seen, I believe that it is something that should be taught very early in life as one's understanding begins to develop. If possible, it should be among those things that children learn from their parents. It should be an imbibed way of life that is passed on. This would ensure that even if someone does not earn as much as he may desire, he would be able to do great things from a small place.
Apart from the home, it should also find its way into the curriculum of schools starting from secondary school and even up to the tertiary level. By so doing, we will be laying the foundation for a society that would generally be financially literate and progressive.
It should not be a skill reserved for Economists, Accountants, Business managers and co. Everyone should have the basic literacy to run their personal affairs and also manage little business finances.
It is the deficiency in basic financial literacy that results in the mismanagement of not just personal funds but also results in the closure of businesses just a few weeks or months of commencement.
Some of those with back up finances find themselves investing more into the business despite not being able to explain the loss of capital and the non profit making aspect of the business.
All these would be prevented if some basic financial knowledge was possessed by most people or if it was taught in schools. That way, those who could not acquire it from their parents would have an opportunity.
Like all things in life though, you have to make a way for yourself and whenever you learn a thing, begin to use it. It would still be beneficial.
All images are mine
