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Providing Children a Strong Financial Education
Providing children a strong financial foundation and teaching them about money is critical for their development. Whether it is identifying the coins in a piggy bank, saving for a big purchase or understanding investing, the basics of earning, spending, and saving can help establish good money habits for life.
Celebrating Financial Education
In celebration of Hancock Whitney Financial Education Month and National Teach Children to Save Day on April 12th, our associates share the money lessons from their childhood that have made a lasting impact. Discover the applicable (and sometimes unconventional) ways our associates learned life’s most important financial lessons and consider sharing with those in your life both young and old.
Return on Investment
“When I was 12 years old, my parents felt that it was important that I find a savings account. My father handed me a phone book and told me that I needed to call up several banks, not just the place my parents banked, and ask them what their interest rate was on their savings accounts. I learned that many banks and credit unions differed on their interest rates and my father explained what return on investment meant. If I chose the highest interest rate, I would have a higher return on the money I put into savings. The bank would pay me to store my money! It was with this lesson that over the years I was able to grow and, in my late 20s, use that money for a down payment on my first home.”
– Danielle Fell, Risk Officer
Save Some, Spend Some, Give Some
“Growing up, we were given a weekly allowance and each Friday, we had to put money in 3 envelopes - one to save, one to spend, and one to give: save money to grow it; spend some to reward yourself; give some to others in need. I have since continued this money lesson with my own kids.”
– Megan Bradley, Learning and Development Coordinator
Megan Bradley passes on her favorite money lessons to her sons.
Pay Yourself First
"There was a small community bank inside the grocery store where I had my first job in 8th grade, and each week I would deposit my check. My parents taught me a simple lesson: Ensure that you pay yourself first before paying others. With that advice and because I was not privy to any monetary allowance from my parents, I would ensure that no less than 10% of each check stayed in my account each pay period. After maintaining a job for the next few school years, this disciplined approach allowed me to open my own Individual Retirement Account (IRA), with the money that I had saved the year I graduated high school. I look back and appreciate that simple advice my parents gave me. This ultimately required a great deal of self-control and patience that will live with me forever."
– Charlie Fenton, Commercial Banker
Save a Portion of Every Pay Increase
“My father taught me to save 10% of every increase. His reasoning was that you’ll never miss it and over time you will have created significant savings. The lesson was really about living within your means and avoid getting over-extended. This way, you always have something that you can fall back on.”
– Shane Loper, Chief Operating Officer
Earning My Dreams
“Growing up on a small farm in Michigan, the family budget was usually tight. I desperately wanted to go to 4-H overnight camp when I was 9, but the cost was $11.00 for the week. My parents said that if I could raise half of the cost to go they would match the other half. I picked strawberries for a nickel a quart to earn the money and it was the best summer camp ever! Ever since, I’ve used this lesson to teach my children how to save for their dreams - whether it was counting pennies from their piggy banks to save for a Disney trip, or a Scout outing.”
– Leslie Pucheu, Residential Construction Team Lead
Leslie Pucheu's money know-how began at a young age.
Keep Your Money Safe in a Bank
“I have always been a saver. Anytime I would get money I would set aside most, if not all, of the money to save for something special. I had to hide my money from my brother, though. It only took one time of being tricked into letting him store my Halloween candy in his personal safe before I learned the life lesson about letting the fox guard the hen house! I would hide cash throughout my room, saving up for some wonderful future purchase. Imagine my horror when I came in one day and found my mother cleaning and throwing things out of my room. I had money in all kinds of places, which she learned as she tossed a coloring book into the trash pile and 20 dollar bills came flying out. We spent the next hour carefully going through boxes of crayons, books, and toys trying to recover my hidden treasure. From that day on, I kept my money in a Hancock Bank savings account at our local Picayune branch.”
– Tiffany Landrum, Instructional Design Manager
Stock Market Challenge
"I was fortunate to have an awesome Junior Achievement experience at Ecole Classique in 1987. Robert Bohn (of the Bohn Automotive Group and successful businessman) came in to lead the Junior Achievement Stock Market challenge for my class. He taught us about the basics of investing and the stock market. As a 14 year old, the idea of putting money into the market and measuring capital appreciation was a completely foreign concept – far more impactful and interesting than just a savings account. I watched the financial headlines and the papers every day with great interest to measure the performance of my stock. In the end, I learned about the concepts and value of long term investing, long term value creation, and watching with great interest the impacts news headlines had on the broader markets."
– Eric Rietschel, Director, Emerging Payments
Enhance Your Money Management Skills
Looking to enhance your own money management skills? Visit Hancock Whitney Financial Cents for Adults to discover personalized lesson plans to build a stronger financial future.
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