They Say the Best Things in Life Are Free . . .
The iconic song Money (That’s What I Want), the first hit record for Berry Gordy’s Motown label in 1960 and most famously recorded by the Beatles in 1963, tells us that although “The best things in life are free . . . you can keep them for the birds and bees. Now give me money, (That's what I want).” Variations on the theme continue for several minutes, with a lot of repetition (you’re singing it now, aren’t you?).
I remember thinking that, although crass, this was fundamentally true. Maslow’s needs hierarchy posits that air, water, food, shelter, and so forth are more essential than love, self-esteem, beauty, and so forth.
At Literacy for Life, I’ve encountered a lot of people who are seeking the things at the bottom of Maslow’s pyramid so they can earn the money they need so they can buy the things at the top. To do that, they need to figure out how to navigate the American economic system – a difficult challenge for people who have grown up in this economy and much more difficult for people who are encountering it for the first time. This is why Literacy for Life has begun a program to offer financial literacy courses to its learners. Here’s what the local newspaper The Virginia Gazette wrote about this program in its May 2, 2022, edition:
WILLIAMSBURG — Literacy for Life, a nonprofit organization aimed at helping non-native and native English speakers, will now offer financial literacy courses through its partnership with C&F Bank.
The organization will launch its financial training program in the spring, which comprises of lessons ranging from understanding a W-4 form to creating a family budget to using credit wisely and saving for the future. The program is funded through a $5,000 donation from the C&F Bank.
According to the organization’s executive director Jason Thornton, financial literacy is an important but often overlooked skill. With its introduction of the program, the organization plans to help folks in the community better understand their finances.
“The overall health of our neighbors is directly related to their ability to create a sound financial plan,” Thornton said in a release. “With C&F’s support, that’s exactly what these financial literacy classes help people do.”
The Literacy for Life website provides more detail about this new program. Here’s what it says:
Financial Literacy for Adults
Many adults have difficulty understanding and using financial information. On the Money: Finances Made Easy, LFL’s financial literacy program, helps these individuals understand key topics, vocabulary, and concepts related to managing money. With this knowledge, they can make sound financial decisions.
Participants meet in classes – or with a tutor for a hands-on, individualized approach – to improve their understanding of their specific financial needs and develop healthy money habits.
Topics include:
Understanding My Paycheck
Budgeting My Money
Credit Cards
Saving & Investing
Creating and Reaching Financial Goals
Participants learn to use mobile applications and other digital tools related to financial literacy.
What sets Literacy for Life's Financial Literacy Program apart?
On the Money: Finances Made Easy incorporates adult learning principles and authentic materials to build a foundational understanding of money management. Financial information is often confusing. This program bridges the gap and provides adults with straightforward, practical information so that they can build the confidence and knowledge they need to identify and reach financial goals.
This is just one among many innovative programs Literacy For Life offers to meet the needs of its learners. Check it out.