A Message From Lynnette Khalfani-Cox, The Money Coach:

 Why Financial Literacy is My Top Professional Priority

I’ve often wished that I learned the lessons that I now know much sooner in life: like how to handle credit and debt wisely, creative ways to live within my means and still have fun, and the importance of saving money sooner rather than later. Had I learned these lessons while growing up, perhaps I would have avoided several painful, unnecessary and financially trying situations, such as getting my car repossessed while in college, or over-spending in my early 30s, and having to dig myself out of $100,000 in credit card debt.

Based on my first-hand experience – and feedback from countless individuals I’ve encountered nationwide – I firmly believe that it’s never too early to start teaching people proper money management skills. If we all made it a priority to develop the personal finance knowledge of our children and all the other youngsters who lives we influence, we would do such a wonderful service for the next generation.

That’s why I believe strongly in supporting community outreach programs, church-based projects, academic institutions, non-profit agencies and corporate-sponsored initiatives that teach adults and children how to better manage their personal finances.

One effort I’m especially passionate about is a New York City-based non-profit called WorldofMoney.org. This terrific organization, run by a dynamic woman named Sabrina Lamb, teaches underprivileged youth everything they need to know about money to break the cycle of poverty and live financially successful lives. This past year, teenagers from WorldofMoney.org visited Wall Street banks, rang the closing bell at the Nasdaq Stock Market, and attended a summer business camp.

I’m proud to be a volunteer and a member of the board of directors at WorldofMoney.org. It’s one way that I give back to my community as part of my commitment to financial literacy.

I also use my writings as a way to promote financial literacy. In 2008, you can check out my money tips online at YourMoneyCounts.com, a financial education website sponsored by HSBC Bank. YourMoneyCounts.com is a comprehensive online guide to financial and credit education, available in both English and Spanish. The site provides articles, tools and calculators designed to help people understand more about saving, spending and borrowing.

One article I’ve written for YourMoneyCounts.com is “Smart Financial Planning Tips for Every Month of the Year.” Here’s a link to it: http://www.yourmoneycounts.com/ymc/tools/article/02012008_tips_for_every_month.html

If your organization has a mission to help people learn about money and become more financially savvy, feel free to reach out to me.

Lynnette