28. October 2008 by Lisa.

Admittedly, I’ve always been interested in speed reading, but have never personally pursued it.  I’m still debating if this is something that would be good for a high schooler to learn and practice before going off to college where he/she will read volumes of material (or has college changed that much since my time?) and have to sift through most of it to find the essential information.  This review of The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Speed Reading piqued my interest enough to look through the book and possibly purchase it.  Interesting review.  Anyone already read this book, or have comments to share on the value of speed reading?

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11. March 2008 by Lisa.

HOW TO READ A BOOK

by Mortimer J. Adler and Charles Van Doren

“Some books are to be tasted, others to be swallowed and some few to be chewed and digested.” Francis Bacon

I believe every high school/college bound student should be required to read this book. The authors define different types of reading and concentrate on the most demanding type, analytical reading. Analytical reading is the most active, mind-engaging reading there is.

Adler teaches us how to engage our minds and challenges us to tackle difficult works on our own, without aids. He states, “Good books are over our heads. They wouldn’t be good if they weren’t. Conquer them or they will weary you. The stretching of your mind won’t tire you unless it is unsuccessful because you lack skills to stretch effectively.” All you need is will and skill, and boy does he give you skill in large measure.

Adler has challenged and encouraged me in my own reading. However, I must admit that I can only tackle 1-3 books/year in this manner. Wish I had more time to read - really read.

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4. March 2008 by Lisa.

RAISING FINANCIALLY FIT KIDS

by Joline Godfrey

I was looking for a financial book that gave me better ideas of how to teach my younger children more than just the “give, save & spend” philosophy you can find everywhere. This book gave me great tips on what to do at each age range. I highly recommend it especially if you have children interested in money.

I’m bent on giving our children an education in personal finance while they’re still home. I hope they make the bulk of their mistakes, and take to heart the lessons my husband and I share with them, before they leave our nest. In all things, not just financial, I hope our children start adult life with more tools than we had.

Here are some of the ideas found in the book.

9-12 year olds:

• Take calculator shopping
• Discuss needs vs. wants
• Introduce utility bills
• Order annual report of favorite company & research
• Start a collection of items that increase in value over time
• Read a biography of an entrepreneur who turned a passion into a business
• Introduce other savings vehicles besides savings accounts
• Discuss importance of interest rates over time
• Work a charity
• Let them be in charge of their savings account
• Have them call for competitive prices on an item they are going to buy
• Discuss impulse buying
• Discuss the concept “Dreams+money+self control=reality”
• Learn how to read the stock section

Teenagers:

• Put together a group of financial mentors
• Mother-daughter investment club
• Let them open a checking account and be in charge of it
• Research different careers and how to get paid what you’re worth
• Discuss insurance policies and their importance (health, life, home, car)
• Discuss accumulation vs. consumption
• Research credit cards fully
• Discuss the concept “money=independence”
• Have child handle larger and larger shares of spending budget
• Internships
• Using skill/talents to earn money
• Discuss tipping
• Discuss estate planning (yours and theirs)
• Teach how to check own credit rating
• Review child’s budget quarterly
• Deeper teaching of giving and social responsibility

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