STUDENTS LEARN THE ABC'S OF FINANCE

By Ernest Johnson-YEC

The Future Investors Club(s) of America (FICA) is designed to introduce youth to the world of finance and business in a fun and exciting way. FICA is dedicated to “Training Tomorrow’s Investors Today.” FICA, was designed by Mr. Frank Parks, with the assistance of teachers, investment advisors and business leaders. Mr. Parks, has over 20 years of experience as a professionally trained insurance agent, financial planner, investment advisor, entrepreneur and executive. During his career as an investment advisor Mr. Parks represented such companies as the Allstate Insurance Company, Principal Mutual Life, Conseco and Northwestern Mutual/Robert W. Baird Securities. He received numerous industry awards for his production leadership and quality of service. He has helped thousands throughout America to understand the world of investments through his many workshops, seminars and youth training camps. Under the leadership of Mr. Parks, FICA has developed an extensive training curriculum.

In addition FICA has an associate staff of certified licensed and professionally trained instructors that share only the best financial and business intelligence information available today. This strategy has led to several professional educators and community leaders to refer to FICA students as some of the “best financially trained kids on the planet.” Each training session is presented in a challenging and fun environment that keeps young people excited about learning. All financial leadership field trips are carefully planned to enhance classroom activities. FICA’s training system also incorporates the Department of Education Standards designed to improve the participant’s ability to excel in their core curriculum of math, reading and writing. In addition students learn strategies that will assist them in accomplishing their goals in life.

THE GREASTEST SHOW ON EARTH

By Antonio Gonzales-YIC

What would happen if more youth in America learned the art of acquiring or the rules of money at a younger age. Mr. Phineas Taylor Barnum one of the founders of the world famous Barnum and Bailey Circus thought the idea of training young people about money was a great idea. Many people believed that, Phineas Taylor Barnum was undoubtedly the greatest showman that America has ever seen. From a truly humble beginning as a grocery clerk and with only a grammar school education, P.T. Barnum eventually built the largest circus combine in the world which he billed as “The Greatest Show on Earth.” Mr. Barnum in his autobiography, “The Life of P.T. Barnum” had very definite ideas on success and how to attain it. Whenever he was invited to give a speech he would refer to what he called his “rules of success” and began calling the title of his lectures “The Art of Money Getting.” Mr. Barnum was wise enough to understand, from his experience as a promoter and politician, that there was one subject of which the public never tired-money. A majority of Mr. Barnum’s speeches was addressed primarily to America’s youth, with the purpose of teaching them how to pursue wealth with integrity and character. However his teaching helped many regardless of age to think clearly about their goals and how to get there. One of the keys to success often discussed by Mr. P.T. Barnum was to Avoid Debt.

Avoid Bad Debt

Young men and women starting in life should avoid running into debt. There is scarcely anything that drags a person down like debt. It is a slavish position to get in, yet we find many young people hardly out of there “teens” running in debt. One should avoid this situation at all cost until sufficient income is available to purchase the things desired.