Risk-mitigated-future and the investment ethos

I was an indifferent student at school; Not unintelligent, just disinterested. I tended to learn things quickly and complete my work to a satisfactory standard in less time than it took others...And then I got bored and probably disruptive to the other students. A scan through my report cards will show many comments like, "is intelligent and thorough however displays a disruptive nature..." Yeah whatever, teacher.

Fortunately I didn't need to understand calculus, algebra and why the Catcher in the Rye is such a literary brilliant novel to make my way through life and to excel personally, professionally and financially. School had its place sure, it possibly still does, however I'm critical of it and of the fact school doesn't prepare a young person for one of the most important aspects of life; Financial planning and investment. Financial intelligence?

The value of money. Ability to budget. Importance of diversified-investment. Pitfalls of credit debt through cards and general consumerism. Understanding insurances, superannuation, annuities and strategies around planning for the future...None of these were covered in primary or high school in my day and I'm pretty sure they are not now. It's left to parents to do so, parents who possibly didn't have any grounding in it either. And so the wheel turns, perpetuating the errors, mistakes and failures.

This isn't just a young-person issue though is it? I mean sure, starting earlier in life on these things will have some value later, however there's many who, later in life, 30's and 40's still don't understand the concepts. When retirement age looms on the horizon then it's a scramble to get things in order and many, alarmingly, think the government will provide for them. Well, speak to any aged pensioner who is not self-funded and that government will care for me in old age bubble will quickly pop.

Education around investment is of critical importance and the sooner one gains it, knowing that the system will not provide it, the better.

I'm probably preaching to the converted here; Switched on cats with diversified investment strategies in play and a bright risk-mitigated-future ahead. Right? I think it's a good idea to talk about these things, investment-strategy and the ethos around it, not just the actual investment because many do not embrace it like us enlightened people. Chatting about it, getting it out there may change someone's attitude and get them on the right track. Us enlightened people should be jumping on that and getting people to join in - It's in everyone's best interest right?

Why the pencil? Well, it sort of indicates that nothing is permanent; That errors written into someone's life in the past can be erased and re-written.