Captains log Day 1

The personal finance course started on a Wednesday. With two three hour units and an hour lunch break between, although seems strenuous it was quite doable due to the lenient teachers and the freedom to break on personal need. The morning hours consisted mostly of an introduction to the course and preparation for the upcoming week. We assigned presentations, established our Investopedia accounts, and were introduced to our 3 day long personal project ~The game of life.~ Not the expected board game but instead a wonderful spreadsheet to track out future expenditures and college costs. This spreadsheet is to act as a prediction of sorts or a vague roadmap of what to expect to see in the future, financially.

    

The highlight of the day, for me, was our first guest speaker. With 30 years of experience under his belt, coming in as both a financial advisor and Dr. Salem's elder brother, Mr. Marc Salem. His insight into the financial field as an experienced fiduciary was quite valuable, he explains the importance of connections in this line of work. Establishing his client base from rock bottom he says many of his clients from when he first started are still his clients and some are even the following generation of said clients. His example further emphasizes the importance of social networking and maintaining these connections. Some advice from the man himself is as follows. 

• “Avoid debt with all your power”

• Don't spend more than your income 

• Live on a budget, as budget is the law. 

• The money you earn is more valuable than the money others give you 

• Seek advice from successful people