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In this issue: Making financial literacy fun, avoiding distraction brokers and finding a rainbow.

"Working to help parents raise money-smart kids."

​​3 Ideas to Share & Save​
​(Click the link above 👆 to read this week's edition on the web.)

Hello, friends!

With so many kids simmering in schools before September, Labor Day no longer feels like the ceremonial end of summer.

So this edition will wrap up the season in a neat, tidy (rain)bow.

And since I'm helping my daughter start up her sophomore year this weekend, there will be no newsletter next Monday. I'll be back the following week with more ideas the share and save.

— 1 —

Fun Financial Literacy? Nan Morrison heads the prestigious Council for Economic Education (CEE), whose mission reads:

So Nan knows a bit about meaningful money conversations. She offered some interesting insights in this interview, and I'd like to highlight three of her thoughts:

1. There is not too early an age to start. This theme is one we discuss often in this newsletter, whether we're talking about money or media. And while you're aware our movement sits on a solid foundation of experts like Nan, we must not assume other families know the same. So if you can think of anyone who might benefit from a little help raising money-smart kids, I hope you'll take a minute to share my newsletter with them right now. (Thanks! 😉)
2. Many schools lack financial literacy resources. The good news? According to the CEE's latest "Survey of the States," thirty-five US states now require students to take a personal finance class to graduate. The bad news? Fifteen don't. And, of course, even if 100% of schools were teaching financial literacy, parental modeling and personal experience with money matter. Likely more so than classroom instruction, based on research by Art of Allowance Podcast guest Ashley LeBaron-Black.
3. There are opportunities for practical financial fun. The CEE provides a free download of family financial activities you can complete at home, and they might even host one of their Family Financial Fun Nights at your school.

Nan explained why these money-fun nights can make a difference:

— 2 —

Distraction Brokers: I've learned it takes roughly double the time to finish this newsletter if I am simultaneously paying attention to email or other work tasks. These distractions also make it less likely I'll have any useful insights to share with you. So I try to tune out everything when I'm writing.

As my personal experience demonstrates, multitasking simply doesn't work. We often engage in what I like to call craptasking — doing multiple things at once, but doing a worse job on each. And because I believe the adage is true that if something is worth doing, it's worth doing well, I decided to focus more to craptask less.

But learning how to focus is difficult for kids living in a world screaming with trivial diversions. Many so-called "influencers" are simply distraction brokers making a living by convincing children meaningless stuff matters. This is one reason I was glad to share my recent podcast conversation with Erin McNeill because her mission is to help our kids navigate these wasteful waters with media literacy.

But the implications of distraction go much, much deeper. There are major cultural effects:

Postman wrote those words when we had only the television to distract us. Unfortunately, they echo even louder in our current social media environment.

— 3 —

Weekly Wisdom: Let me leave you on a more positive note.

Jobs noted that when he finally reached that pot of gold, he turned his focus to finding another rainbow.

Because the rainbow, not the pot of gold, is the point.

As always, enjoy the journey! 🌈

John,
Chief Mammal

P.S. Please consult with a financial or investment professional before making any decisions that might affect your financial well-being.

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