What is your financial IQ? Were you taught the rules that the wealthy play by when you were young? Were you even taught the rules that ‘normal’ people should know so that they can take care of the money they earn, watch it create more money and sail slowly and steadily towards financial freedom?

My guess is NO – not just because you are reading this article, but because MOST of us were not. I was not. I don’t blame my parents or my teachers for this, because they were not taught.

The buck stops here. I have spent the recent years of my adult life gaining a financial education, and the more I learn the more I see there is plenty to learn. But it’s fun, and exciting, and empowering, and all of the things I love.

I also feel more and more in control of my money, my time and my investments…and consequently, more and more I can see how by being ignorant about how money really works we are dooming ourselves to poverty and fear our entire lives.

Knowledge – and knowledge applied – really is power, in this case. I will not live in fear and poverty ever again, because I am gaining knowledge – more knowledge than many ‘financial advisors’ who are taught to sell me a portfolio of diversified investments have, and who will make their fees whether I make any money or not.

My child will not live in fear or poverty. She has a teacher at school who is always telling her to sit down and be quiet and stop being original – entirely missing her creativity, her amazing intelligence and in the process stamping out her eagerness and enthusiasm. She’s nine. He tells her when she uses a pen instead of a pencil that when she grows up her boss will FIRE her for being unwilling to comply with simple instructions. Well, sir, I have NEWS for you: my kid will never work in some cubicle with an overbearing boss that threatens her all the time. She’s going to respect herself and her abilities far more than that, and moreover, she’s got a Mom who is learning money lessons VERY well, and will teach them to her…thus she will be making more money than her teacher by the time she is out of high school and considering University or college.

In order to begin on the path to prosperity, a decent financial education is a must. You also must acknowledge that to change your life (financially or otherwise), you need to work on your thinking patterns, and change your thoughts and actions. These basics are just the beginning of what can be a lifelong learning journey.

In Donald Trump’s book, co-authored with Rich Dad, Poor Dad’s Robert Kiyosaki – Why We Want You To Be Rich – he has a good point about time and money:

“If you saw time as money, would you be more careful with it? For example, if wasting 15 minutes of your time meant you would lose $500, would you be more aware of how those 15 minutes were spent?” He goes on to say “All the money in the world cannot replace time, so proceed accordingly.”

Of course we have all thought about this abstractedly, but that question puts it in a way, for me, that sharply focuses my intentions and reminds me to spend my time efficiently…right now that means learning how to make, use and invest my money even more wisely so that I have even MORE TIME to spend doing what I choose (including spending it with my beautiful daughter).

For those of us – that is most – who did not receive this education at school or home, it DOESN’T MATTER. You are all grown up now, and time is tickin’. Take control, and educate yourself.

IT’S YOUR MONEY, AND IT’S YOUR LIFE!

Article by Shauna Arthurs