Action Portal
What is the goal of this Action?
I am a builder. I rely on my tool kit to create. Therefore, the underlying theme to my action is based on one simple edict; In order to wield a tool properly I must understand the core principles of the design features and flaws of the tools I use. As a builder I take great pride in my ability to skillfully wield a vast array of tools. From the most basic tools to highly specialize tools and even tool design and creation, my tools have helped me to make a good life for myself and my loves. However... There is one tool in my tool kit I use quite often yet, I hate to admit, I know very little about. That would be the tool of finance. In fact I know so Little about the tool of finance that it has become detrimental to my ability to live. It brings me little comfort to add that I am very much not alone out here in this quagmire of financial illiteracy. It's a pretty safe bet that you reading this now, you are standing in this fetid swamp of fiscal ignorance with me. Well, I'm getting pretty sick of the stench of this place and the only way out of here is to learn all we can about this mysterious tool of finance. Let us wipe away the mysticism and fears our ignorance induce. And let us not just learn it for ourselves but that we should require that finance be a subject schooled to our children. I don't think its hyperbolic to say my goal in life is the total obliteration of financial illiteracy. I hope to raise awareness on this subject.
Why financial education needs action
I'm sorry, this might sting a bit, but we need to talk about the Eldritch beast in the middle of the room. What parent would willingly allow their children to wander off into this wide world without some foreknowledge of the challenges that they will face along the way? What parent consciously decides to keep information from their child that will absolutely determine whether they will live or die, whether they become successful or fall to a life of poverty and crime? What kind of monster would be so cold, so cruel, so callous? It turns out to be us. We are the cold cruel callous monster. It would seem, on some deeper levels, we are blissfully unaware of our cognitive bias. The centuries of systemic suppression of education overall have made it much harder to recognize. Mostly I believe the average parent just accepts that there are no real efforts within the educational community to teach the subject of finance. Better that they just teach their kids themselves anyway. After all, how hard could it be? You can do this...later...after work...or maybe tomorrow...after the soccer match....this weekend might be better...if not, than later next week, for sure! If the road to hell is paved with good intentions then it's sidewalks were built from good intentions never fulfilled. If its any consolation, its not your fault that you don't have the time to dedicate to such a complicated task. In fact its a feature of your career that you don't have the time. The acquisition of capital is fraught with a myriad of complications, one of which is the vicious circle of work / life balance. One of the goals of this action is to build a volunteer network capable of making conditions right for the acquisition of F.L.F. centers through out the country that focus on teaching fiance to anyone and everyone. Ideally these centers will give free or low cost access to this subject using an array of mediums. From Arts and crafts to backyard gardening and disaster preparedness, F.L.F. centers should act as a community center with an emphasis on how finance is intertwined throughout these subjects. So please, consider joining the F.L.F. and lets fight financial illiteracy. Let us learn together and discuss ways that we can make this community a safe haven for those who seek to break the shackles of financial ignorance.
Why Action now?
As the saying goes "the best time to start was yesterday but today will have to do!" It really is a race with time after all. But this race isn't a sprint its a marathon. We have no Idea how long we can maintain our pace. On the night of December 24th, Christmas Eve of 2023 I checked into an emergency room with severe back pains. I was diagnosed with appendicitis. I was scheduled for surgery on Christmas day. I recovered quickly and went home later that day. Soon after they performed a biopsy on my appendix and found it tested positive for cancer. Out of an abundance of caution it was decided I should have a second surgery a few weeks later to remove a small section of my colon where the appendix was located. After a two day recovery from a much more invasive procedure I was released and soon after began a very mild pill form of chemotherapy. Followed up by dietary and lifestyle changes. Its been a year since then and I am cancer free...for now. I don't know how long I can keep up the pace. I have no children to leave behind to pick up my baton once I fall. Yet, In spite of those things I would like to leave this world just a little nicer than when I came into it. And for all its failings, I love humanity deeply, not just for who we are but who we wish we can be. We are miracles yearning to be free to live to love to seek to know. Please consider joining the F.L.F. before we run out of time, together lets carry the baton across the finish line. Cheers.