About to be Tested

I am sad to inform you that the A+ Savings Challenge is coming to an end. Although I am really excited to find out the winner!

During the last couple of months I have learned how to effectively save my money as well as place it in different accounts other than a savings. Before the challenge I was completely oblivious to all of the other opportunities to earn money besides a savings account and playing the stocks.

I now know that there are mutual funds and bonds that I can invest in and CDs that will earn more interest than a normal savings account. I have also learned which of these investments are the riskiest and safest. It will be critical for my future to start investing.

My favorite part of the challenge probably has to be meeting with my coach and discussing my financial future. I can't tell you how helpful it was to have someone watch over me while saving money, keeping me aware of things that I really shouldn’t be buying and such.

On the opposite end, my least favorite part of the challenge has to be the luncheons. I always seemed to forget when and where they were. And even though this sounds silly, it took away from precious lunches with my friends, and my 30 minutes of school time that I actually didn’t have to take notes or do work.

By the way, THIS JUST IN: I have received another scholarship from UTSA that is renewable for my second year of college! That means I have to pay back $1,500 less in student loans. The SMHS scholarship ceremony is coming up next week, so hopefully I will also be receiving some local scholarships.

My senior year is coming to an end and now the “real world” is approaching me. This is the part of my life where my savings skills will come into play. Hopefully I paid close attention to my coach because I am about to be tested.

-Iris O.