Empowering Youth: Navigating Finances from Budgeting Basics to Financial Mastery with 'FINANCE' Framework

Growing up as a first-generation Canadian, my parents instilled in me the importance of budgeting. Understanding how to manage your money wisely is crucial. When my parents immigrated to Canada during my grade school years, it was a new beginning for our family. The community embraced us, and my father, realizing the significance of budgeting, got a job to support us. That's when he started giving me a monthly allowance. Initially, I spent it all within a week, but soon I learned the value of saving and budgeting.

As I grew older, my curiosity about money deepened. I explored its evolution from gold to gold-backed paper and now to plastic. As a Gen Z member, I turned to Google to learn more about finances, economics, and market disasters. The real eye-opener came during the Covid era when government interventions, like printing money, demonstrated their power over finances. Witnessing the impact of policies on interest rates, which hadn't been at such levels in nearly two decades, fueled my desire to understand the connection between government actions and our bank accounts.

During interviews with politicians, running for student council, and looking at statistics, I noticed a gap in information about how the government affects our money. This gap motivated me to start an organization that helps young people understand finances through a structured framework.

My organization focuses on a structured framework, guiding youth through Financial Basics, Smart Choices, Money Management, Financial Mastery, Connecting Economics, Financial Understanding, and making Educated and Informed Decisions.

Embarking on the journey of financial literacy, I've established a structured framework to guide individuals through key steps, encapsulated in our acronym “FINANCE”:

Step 1 - Foundation: mastering the Financial Basics. From understanding budgeting to grasping the fundamentals, this foundation sets the stage for a solid financial understanding. 

Step 2 - Inspiration encourages making Smart Choices, fostering a mindset that leads to informed decisions.

Step 3 - Navigation focuses on Money Management, equipping individuals with the skills to navigate the complex world of finances. 

Step 4 - Attaining: Financial Mastery becomes the goal, aiming for a level of expertise that empowers individuals to take control of their financial destinies. 

Step 5 - Networking: Connect Economically. Establishing economic connections enhances opportunities for growth and prosperity. 

Step 6 - Clarifying: Financial Understanding, the emphasis is on unraveling the complexities of the market, and understanding the factors that impact financial landscapes.

Step 7 - Educated-Informed Decisions, is to equip individuals with the knowledge and insights needed to make informed choices about their finances.

Reflecting on achievements and impacts so far, I've actively engaged with the community to discuss the profound effects of financial literacy. The focus has been on demonstrating how even a small amount of financial knowledge can significantly benefit everyone, creating a ripple effect of understanding and empowerment within the community, and setting the stage for a financially informed and resilient future.

Looking ahead, the future roadmap includes phases such as Content Creation in high school, Audience Expansion in university, and Scaling and Impact in the first job phase. The goal is to achieve 500k to 1 million YouTube subscribers, form strategic partnerships, and collaborate with international entities for a broader reach and impact in the field of financial education.

In the words of Warren Buffett, "The more you learn, the more you earn." Thus, my mission is to empower youth with essential skills for a prosperous and informed future.