Class prepares students for a life of financial success

By Darla Hernandez (darlah@wsbt.com)

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Professor Susan Vance, teaches

Professor Susan Vance teaches "Strategies for Financial Success" at Saint Mary's College. (WSBT photo)

By WSBT News1

Story Created: Mar 16, 2009 at 10:39 AM EST

Story Updated: Mar 16, 2009 at 4:16 PM EST

The crisis of the economy has left countless Americans with failed investments and little or no savings at all. Saint Mary's College is trying to arm their graduating students with the basics of budgeting and investing to avoid the heartache that many Americans are experiencing.

It's one of the most popular classes at Saint Mary's College, and it's not art, music or dance.

“I am a strong believer that this course should be something that’s required from every college grad, and especially here at Saint Mary's," said Ashleigh Telman, a senior nursing student.

"This is my passion," said Professor Susan Vance, who teaches the course called "Strategies for Financial Success."

"I felt it was important, as a women's college, to educate our women financially," said Vance.

Some of the topics discussed are investing in your 401k, learning about health insurance, managing your credit cards, and always having an emergency fund.

"We can't trust the financial institutions to make the right choices for us, or guide us appropriately, in these kinds of issues, so it's so important for us to be smart consumers," Vance said.

Telman says she's learned the basics of budgeting and a whole lot more.

"The ‘Latte Factor.’ You know people will buy their latte every morning and that adds up over the course over a year,” she said.

With the stock market in a slump, and mounting debt for many Americans, several agree this class prepares people for the real world.

"In my view, this is as critically important as any other area of education, and I think traditionally it's not been a primary area of focus," said Vance.

For Telman, her studies — like short term and long term savings — will come to life this spring, when she takes her first job as a nurse.

“I'm moving many states away from my family, my parents and any help that I would normally have,” said Telman, “so I think it's important for my independence to be able to have this information — to be a smart investor, smart with my money, my finances.”

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