Scholar Talk: Adrian Andino

Dreamers,

Welcome to part 2 of our"$cholar Talk" series. This segment will feature posts written by D.R.E.A.M. Scholars! It provides an opportunity for our students to share their experiences in our "Invest-in-Success" program with you, discuss financial topics relevant to teenagers, and provides you a chance to connect with them.

Without further adieu, please welcome our scholar-blogger for the month, Adrian Andino, junior at All Hallows High School, Bronx, NY. 

(left) Adrian Andino, Scholar, (right) Director of Programming, Sylvester Rembert

On June 16th when I walked into ING Direct Café for the final session of year one of the "Invest-in-Success" program, I had no idea what the day had in store for me. All I knew was that I had to present a unique business plan with my peers that we had been fine tuning for weeks. I had no idea that any extra awards would be given out after the business competition was over. When my name was called for the “Most Valuable Saver” award I was surprised. I knew I had saved a large amount of money but I didn’t realize I had saved the most of all my classmates. After I was called for the award I felt good because I knew that I had made an effort to save as much as possible and really take heed to the message of D.R.E.A.M.

Saving should be an extremely important factor in anyone’s life. Having money saved can alter your life drastically. The money you have in the bank can end up being your financial cushion someday in the future. I wouldn’t want to struggle financially in the future and I don’t think anyone else would either, so saving your money as early as you can is always a positive and it’s very easy to start!

In the first year of the “Invest-in-Success” program the importance of saving was always stressed to me and the other members of the program. We learned about proper ways to save your money and to ensure it is safe. We also learned that the best place to keep your money is in an FDIC insured banking institution in an account that bears interest. In such account, your money will collect interest over time which will increase the amount of money you have.

It's easy for anyone to start saving, especially teenagers. People get caught up in constant spending and they end up wasting tons of cash. People tend to think that you won’t be a successful saver if you don’t save large amounts of money at a time. Saving even a dollar a week is good enough for most teens.  A portion of money you receive as gifts should be saved as well. When you save your money it should always be in an FDIC insured bank because keeping your money elsewhere is very risky.

These are just a few thoughts I wanted to share about my experience in the “Invest-in-Success” program. I have learned a lot from my first year in the program and I look forward to what is to come.

2011-2012 Most Valuable Saver,

Adrian Andino 

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