As a bilingual-bicultural parenting expert, I often get asked to speak at language conferences, school districts, book fairs, festivals, and parent engagement programs. Lately, I have been asked to join Latina women groups that aim to educate and empower. I love being able to talk about my background and how my career evolved from a public relations professional to an award-winning book author. Recently, I joined a group of dynamic and successful Latinas, spearheaded by Yai Vargas, founder of The Latinista and Natalie Torres Haddad, award-winning author, TedX speaker, and founder of FinanciallySavvyLatina, for a conversation about money and how to become more knowledgeable about finances. We listened to Monica Halm talk about wealth through real estate and also learned about the Financially Fit Foundation which teaches how to deal with money the right way, and not be afraid to have a relationship with money. It is always a treat to listen to Lizza Morales, actress, influencer and international speaker, talk about her upbringing and her relationship with money at a very young age.
As a Latina mom that grew up not talking about finances at home, but raised a daughter to understand its value and how to handle it, I urge all moms out there to have money conversations with your children and to find ways to teach them about personal finances. It really can make a difference when applying for college, and when they are living on their own. Discussing budgets, banking and credit cards should be part of the conversation. All the how-to of finances are also important: how to open a bank account, why a checking account, why a savings account, your daily money activities, how and why to keep track, why and how to invest, among others. To be honest, every time I see a group of kids selling lemonade in my neighborhood, it makes me smile and feel so excited because I know their parents are teaching them about money at an early age: making it, saving it and spending it in something they want because of their hard work!
And, if real estate investment is a subject that interests you and your spouse, why not add that to the conversation with your older children? There have been many people, including Latinos, that have made their wealth in real estate. It is worth exploring the opportunities and becoming educated. Programs like the ones offered by Monick Halm, founder of Real Estate Investor Goddesses and author of The Real Estate Success Blueprint can help.
Keep an eye for more money workshops via www.thelatinista.
Bai, Bai
Maritere
