Lazy Man and Money

Financial Football Teaches Students about Personal Finance

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When New England Patriot wide receiver Wes Welker isn’t busy training and setting records, he’s out there making the world a better place. I’ve written in the past how he’s motivated me. When he’s not doing New Kids on the Block songs and dances for charity (see the previous link), he’s teaching children in Hawaii the value of personal finance.

Welker passes along the kind of advice that we’ve been preaching for some time in these parts – things like “save 10 percent of their income and ‘make sure to put away substantial amounts for rainy days ahead.'” as well as “As far as shopping… I just to pass that on to them… you can’t spend more than you have coming in.” What’s his encore, bring about world peace?

I’m giving Welker all the credit here simply because I’m an extremely biased Patriots’ fan. The larger truth is that San Francisco 49er Patrick Willis is spreading the word with him. However to be completely fair, the credit should go to Visa for sponsoring the event and coming up with a way to make personal finance fun. They created a personal finance quiz game. It’s loosely based on football where you move the ball down the field with each correct answer. The kids in this video seem to love it.

I played a round of the online game and didn’t share their enthusiasm. It seems to be a two player game. While it was fairly easy for me to score with the Patriots (except for the silly question of how much does 500 one-dollar bills weigh), I found myself intentionally choosing the wrong answers when the Colts had the ball. I would have liked to played some defense instead, but that’s just me. And while I found the questions on the easy side, for the age group (and someone not a personal finance nut) it may be appropriate and something that I’d introduce my children to (if I had kids). It would be interesting to see if they could beat dad on the gridiron.

I’ve said it in the past make personal finance a fun game and you’ll see change.

Success, Football, and Some Links

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I usually don’t talk about politics here, and this won’t be much of an exception. Even though the two people below are political, it’s more about their success stories.  Perhaps it’s just finishing Malcolm Gladwell’s Outliers, but I’m thinking quite a bit how some of the most successful people got that way – despite what seems to be very long odds.

Success Thoughts

  • Time’s Man of the Year – Barack Obama was the easiest slam dunk their editors ever had. I haven’t commented on it, because everyone has already said everything.  I’ll just echo, What an amazing step for America!”  Every time I lose faith something logical happening, something like the best man wins.
  • Arnold Schwarzenegger: Governator – As amazing as it was for Barack, I think Arnold becoming governor of California was a little more amazing. All evidence I’ve seen shows that Barack was always an intelligent person. Arnold was a foriegner, seemingly spoke little English, admitted to using steroids, became a classic definition of “meathead”, had a movie (Pumping Iron) where he advised, “Milk are for babies, when you get older you drink beer”, and somehow transitioned that into being the governor of one of the biggest states in the country.

This time of year, especially on the weekends, my thoughts turn to football. It’s been one of the best football seasons in some time. Here are some quick thoughts.

Football Thoughts

  • Dallas Cowboys – I root for you for one game in 25 years to give a potential 11-5 Patriots a chance at the playoffs. Romo had one of the worst first halves performances that I’ve seen. Dallas’ run defense at the end of the game was even worse. Congrats to a potential 11-5 Atlanta Falcons who benefited from the game.
  • NY Jets – Thanks for the poor performance yesterday. Now Patriots fans need you to regroup to give them a chance at an AFC East title.
  • Patriots / Chargers – I’m not talking about last year’s AFC Championship game here, but what a weird season for these two rivals. San Deigo at 7-8 goes into the last week of the season able to claim a playoff game at home with a win. New England at 10-5 needs help to even get a shot on the road. If that help doesn’t come, and they don’t make the playoffs, I’m sure a lot of people will be predicting the end of the Patriots’ run.
  • Miami / Atlanta – Amazing turn-arounds for two franchises left for dead. Is Oakland and Detroit watching… nah

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