Me and Money | A personal diary of financial adventures, challenging young people to learn how to be cool money smart.

Our journey follows the financial adventures of George and his friends as they navigate the world of money, learning to document their experiences, thoughts and perspectives in their own financial diary.

The personal diary format allows readers to delve deeper into George's thoughts and emotions and those of his friends, creating a sense of personal connection and relatability. Through the diary entries of those five friends, they will witness this financial journey and gain valuable lessons and insights about personal finance.

From earning an allowance to committing to spending and setting savings goals, readers have the opportunity to reflect on their financial choices, practice financial language, and learn valuable lessons about money management while modeling a self-financial behavior appropriate to their own interests.

George is 16, passionate about reading and writing, and recently received a diary as a gift from his grandfather. He lives in the city, but whenever he gets the chance, he visits his father's parents in the countryside. The gentleness and love of his grandparents, the grass he walks on in their garden early in the morning, the sounds of nature at the edge of the forest, the singing of birds at dusk and sometimes even the roar of the storm at night, are good reasons for him to return there again and again. Pampered by his grandparents, comforted by rural beauty and caressed by the breeze in the afternoon, he is inspired to read and write ever more assiduously. He dreams of becoming a well-known writer, loved by children and respected by the community in which he will live. He reads at least 50 pages a day, about absolutely everything. He is friendly, practical, very inquisitive, a volunteer, and very enterprising. His most audacious dream is to become a millionaire by the age of 35.

His girlfriend Ada is 14 and aspires to be an artist. Ada dreams of becoming a famous fashion designer and is always looking to take fashion classes, learn the art of drawing and sketching and go to as many fashion shows as possible in cities around the world. She is fun, sociable and curious. She has a keen sense of humour, is generous and brave. She is digitally savvy, easily navigates online and flirts with digital design and social media communication. She doesn't know much about money, nor has she ever been concerned with it, but she has a good habit of letting herself be challenged so that she can learn and practice with ease.

Ada lives in the village where George has his grandparents and often the two of them meet at the secret gazebo on the riverbank that runs through their village. Most of all, they like to talk about the future and especially about how they can become wealthy enough to spend an adventurous life doing activities they are passionate about, surrounded by people to learn from, to achieve personal success and make a positive impact in their community.

Ada believes that reading and writing are forms of expression that are unlikely to make money in the short term, and whenever she gets the chance, she challenges George to find another passion, joking about it pretty much every time they meet. George often gets into her game. Not only does he enjoy Ada's company, but George often has personal revelations conversing with her.

He has the belief that if you act with passion, perseverance and resilience, without expecting anything in return, the money will come without much effort, in due course. Ada believes that to make money you must have amazing talents, and to succeed in life you have to work hard.

That's why the subject of money excites them both and they often end up debating the pros and the cons. Ada would like to spend both her allowance and pocket money quickly, lacking the parental support to be thoughtful with money. George is less interested in spending, being encouraged at home to save and at some point invest. In fact, his allowance goes into a savings account opened in his name by his parents right from the moment he came into this world. That's why, whenever he can, he encourages Ada to manage her money wisely. In fact, George has made it his goal this summer to help Ada become more mindful of how she pursues her financial goals. You'll immediately understand why George has taken on such a mission.

Ada: My mother gave me some money and told me I could spend it on whatever I wanted! What do you think I should do with it?

George: Congratulations on the money! It would be a good idea to put it aside. Imagine what you could do in the future with your little savings fund that you've built up now for future needs and wants.

Ada: Hold on! What do you mean? What are you saying? How come... saving money for something I want in the future? Well, I want to buy charcoal and graphite, a sketch pad, graphic accessories, access to techniques and drawing books to do my sketches, today. If I don't draw now with the materials I need, some of them very high quality that my drawing teacher recommended, how do you think I'm going to make it as a great artist?!

George: Do you think Picasso had the money for the best brushes? If he could become famous using the materials of that time, why can't you now? Think of the possibilities you have today! I suggest that you first save up and then buy the things you dream of.

Ada: What does your example have to do with what I told you?

George: Think about it! I recently learned that there is a difference between need and want. For a while, you could work with cheaper materials that you really need, and you could save the difference in money to buy better materials in the future. The latter are wants.

Ada: In other words, are you saying that a smartphone might be a need, but the newest smartphone is a desire?

George: Exactly! Besides, if you've still got a sum of money you didn't expect, all the more reason and all the sooner you should save it by putting it away 100%. What could be better!? You haven't made any effort and you have money for the future.

This was a time like many others in the past when George put Ada on the spot. Impressed by his words she is determined to explore the realm of money and personal finance more deeply. After all, she figured she had nothing to lose at this age.

George: I've read that it might be appropriate to rhythmically set aside all of your allowance and some of your pocket money on top of it.

More intrigued and somewhat prompted by George's examples, Ada wishes to explore the idea of learning how to manage her allowance and pocket money so that in the future she can afford to have money to achieve her desires in arts.

Ada: Ho-hum... I really don't understand why should I learn about money in such detail! It just seems so boring. It's an area I never learned anything about in school, and at home it seems like money is a taboo subject that I never have access to.

George: I read in a book that money is like a superpower. With the right knowledge, you can make it work for you! Wouldn't you like to stop worrying about money?

Ada: Well, I kind of agree... I'd like to learn to be more thoughtful with money. You seem to have a lot of knowledge in this area. Can you help me? We could explore financial adventures together. If you take up the challenge, I'm in!

George: Of course I'm in! I confess that I'm not exactly consistent in saving as much as I'd like either. But I think together we could navigate the world of money with joy and determination. I really want to learn not to worry about money and manage to maintain the same standard of living throughout my life by putting my money to work. I want to be well off, but in time I want to be able to contribute to the well-being of others!

Ada: I totally agree with what you say and I have an idea! You said your grandfather gave you a diary as a gift. Could this be our trusty companion in the financial adventure we might start?

George: Wow! I love what you're saying so much that I'm going to make sure we fill it with crazy ideas, magic words, and phrases to inspire us throughout our lives. Of course, I'm all for using it together!

Ada: Thank you! Now that you're on board with this I imagine it can be a great way to become more aware of our financial behaviors and the importance of developing healthier habits that include money. Count me in!

Back at home, thinking about how scary the promise to George was, when she walked into her room, the walls seemed to whisper stories of success and ambition to Ada. Her drawings of sophisticated dresses and accessories, attractive to her colleagues and the female side of her family, served as a constant reminder of the financial possibilities that awaited her on the edge of the horizon.

DIARY PAGE | DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE

Dear Reader, this is where the structuring of your financial diary begins.

What do you find easiest to spend your money on? Argue!

Did you know that...

Financial education is about meeting your own and your family's 'needs', but also fulfilling your own 'wants'. Don't give up on your dreams! You really don't need to eliminate your desires to become financially independent!