Kelowna

Wednesday, May 04, 2011

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Personal finance is a life skill that must be taught. It isn't currently a standard part of the national school curriculum, especially for young children. The current economic situation clearly demonstrates the need for effective, long-term financial education.

"Our children desperately need to learn the fundamentals of how to handle their money and make wise decisions, but many parents aren't sure how to teach these concepts," says Nancy Phillips, mother of two young children and author of the Zela Wela Kids book series on financial literacy. "This book series was created specifically to help parents teach their children these essential life skills in a fun, relaxed and memorable way."

Unlike most money management books in the marketplaces, which are targeted primarily to adults, Zela Wela Kids books focus on children. The first books are written for children aged five to nine. In a series of engaging stories—readers follow the main characters, twins Jack and Emma, and their multicultural friends and classmates as they progress through kindergarten and elementary school learning real-life lessons along the way. By observing the characters making money choices as they mature, readers receive valuable financial management and goal-setting tips—tools that will give them confidence in their own money management and decision-making skills.

In Build a Bank, the first published book in the Zela Wela Kids series, the twins and their friends are taught the importance of allocating their money for specific purposes. With help from their mother and teacher, they create banks for giving, investing, saving and spending the money they receive. In the newly released book The Zela Wela Kids Learn about Needs and Wants, the setting is a grocery store. It includes lessons such as: the difference between needs and wants, why using cash saves you money, why an "ATM" doesn't endlessly spit out money, the importance of tracking your spending, what a bank account is, and how a wish list can help a child make good buying decisions and prevent "I want ..." tantrums.

About the Author

Nancy Phillips has an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Human Kinetics from the University of Guelph and an Executive Master of Business Administration degree from Queens University, Canada. While working in the corporate world for almost twenty years, she held positions in product development, portfolio management and international marketing for three of the world's leading medical companies.

Since becoming a mother, Nancy's new passion is to research and create fun resources to inspire and help the next generation reach their true potential. She is the author of The Zela Wela Kids Build a Bank, The Zela Wela Kids Learn about Needs and Wants and the soon to be released The Zela Wela Kids Learn about Becoming Entrepreneurs.

Zela Wela Kids Learn about Needs and Wants can be purchased from www.amazon.com

Ms. Nancy Phillips, M.B.A

founder and president

DollarSmartKids Enterprises Inc.

Kelowna

250-864-9419