A Future with Fewer Princesses
Plain talking, take-no-prisoners, Gail Vaz-Oxlade is our second “Financial Writers Who Inspire Us” honoree. She just released her latest book, Money Talks. Subtitled When to Say Yes and How to Say No, it tackles all sorts of financial situations that modern people find themselves in as a result of various relationship dynamics – everything from aging parents with dwindling nest eggs, to the particular challenges facing blended families. As usual, it’s a straightforward but insightful read.
Can we create a future where far fewer people have to face the often extreme pain of a financial overhaul? We think we can – and it’s why we like to say that teaching your kids to think before they buy is really the best gift you can give them.
Gail is not only an author, she is the pillar of three wildly popular TV programs: ‘Til Debt Do We Part, Princess, and Money Moron. In each, with her signature matter of fact demeanour, she holds up the financial mirror, has people take a good hard look, and then assigns unique and creative challenges capable of bringing about real change for real people, who really need it. Instead of Stacey and Clinton showing people “what not to wear”, Gail shows them “what not to buy”, and why. We love her television work as much as her writing. That said, our vision is a future where it will no longer be necessary.
How’s that? Well, you see our mission is to help parents raise children who become financially literate, thoughtful consumers. And every single adult who has ever been on a Gail Vaz-Oxlade program was once just a kid. As Gail herself says, “It takes monumental effort and a lot of gumption to do things differently.” So just imagine if kids learned early and well the lessons that Gail has to deliver the hard way, to adults on the verge of financial ruin. Can we create a future where far fewer people have to face the often extreme pain of a financial overhaul? We think we can – and it’s why we like to say that teaching your kids to think before they buy is really the best gift you can give them.
Safe, free, quick, and available wherever you have your smartphone (on gsdevibd.wpengine.com), our Gift Surveys ask kids all the questions that should normally be answered before spending money wisely. Kids can’t complete a Gift Survey and not have a better handle on whether or not they will really use and appreciate what they are asking for. They can’t plan to attend an event without understanding how much the safe transportation, snack and souvenir costs are going to add to the total cost of seeing, for example, the Toronto Raptors play.
We probably won’t put Ms. Vaz-Oxlade out of the TV business anytime soon – but if you run into her – you can tell her about a new little public good company that is trying. Funnily enough, we don’t think she will mind one little bit.
