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Wanted: Slogans We Can Take To Bank

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: January 6, 2008

My father had many colorful money maxims, such as "Save for a rainy day," "Buy low, sell high" and "Money doesn't buy happiness."

These slogans gave me great comfort when I was growing up, and I continue to embrace those words of wisdom. Just ask my kids.

I mention this because this week, I'm on a mission for contributions. I want your children to share their favorite money slogan.

Here's what I need: Encourage your children to e-mail me at srosen@kcstar .com. Kids, tell me what those words mean to you.

This can be a quick family project or something teachers can organize at school. During the coming year, I'll share many of the best slogans in future columns.

To stir your children's creative juices, I recently asked financial officials and educators around the country to explain their choicest money quote. Here are some examples:

"Save for a rainy day." - Alana Golden, public information officer, California Department of Financial Institutions, Sacramento

"If we save for rainy days - which translates to planning for unexpected events - we can make it through tough times financially. This can make unpleasant situations much easier to deal with and allow us to focus on our families and getting back to normal."

"Saving is a great habit." - Sam Renick, founder, It's A Habit Co., Los Angeles

"Habits, like saving, have predictable outcomes. ... Making saving a habit will help you create the future you want."

"Penny wise and pound foolish." - Bonnie Braun, president, American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences, College Park, Md.

"To me, it means that we can try saving our pennies but cost ourselves in the long run. This is particularly true in relation to any kind of maintenance of property, whether personal, family or public property. Saving a little can cost a lot and spending a little can save a lot."

"Money makes money." - Elda Ostrowski, senior financial education specialist, Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union, San Antonio, Texas

"And the money that money makes ... makes more money. ... I use that when I talk to students about compounding interest."

"Take care of the nickels and dimes, and the dollars will take care of themselves." - Jim Delaney, Air Force Aid Society, Arlington, Va.

"That means you have to focus on the small steps it takes to build savings."

"Always taking out of the flour barrel and never putting in, soon reaches the bottom." - Sandy Barlow, retired educator, Basking Ridge, N.J.

"The problem with young adults is that even when they reach the bottom and there's no more flour, they get extended credit and then they really get into a fiscal mess."

My favorite money slogan:

"Pay yourself first."

Why? Because it implies taking personal responsibility for my financial situation - investing part of each paycheck in a retirement account, for example - thus increasing my independence and peace of mind.

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