Troy students learn about financial literacy

Troy University’s Sorrell College of Business held a Lunch and Learn to help students better understand financial literacy, investing and planning for their financial futures.

The event covered topics including compound interest, the Rule of 72 and how the stock market works. Students also heard from guest speaker Chuck Carson, a financial adviser, who discussed investing and making informed financial decisions.

This discussion gave students an opportunity to learn about financial concepts that may not always be covered in a traditional classroom setting. Students were able to ask questions, gain advice and learn more about how financial decisions made at an early age can affect their future.

Shaniah Daniels, a junior global business and entrepreneurship major from Mentone , Alabama, attended the event as part of her scholarship requirements.

Although she initially attended because of her scholarship, Daniels said she gained useful information from the discussion.

One of Daniels’ biggest takeaways was learning that she is a “net spender” and recognizing the importance of investing early. The discussion also helped her understand how the value of money can change over time.

“Today’s dollar is not going to be the same value as tomorrow’s dollar,” Daniels said.

Daniels said understanding the importance of investing early could help students make better financial decisions before entering the workforce. She said she would recommend the Lunch and Learn to other students because it provided useful financial advice while also allowing students to enjoy lunch and learn in a relaxed setting.

Garrett Cantey, a junior business major from Montgomery, Alabama, said the discussion encouraged him to learn more about the stock market and investing as he plans for his future.

Cantey said one of the points that stood out to him was the importance of putting money to work rather than simply saving it.

He said money earned today can have greater value in the future when it is invested. The discussion made him think about his own financial habits and the importance of learning more about investing.

“I’ll encourage somebody to come to the event because it was beneficial,” Cantey said.

Jessica Rogers, a freshman human resource management major from Clayton, Alabama, attended because she wanted to learn how to begin investing early in her college career.

Rogers said learning about the risks associated with investing was one of the topics that stood out to her. She also learned about student loans and the consequences that can come with taking on debt.

The information helped Rogers understand how she could avoid unnecessary debt at an early age. She said learning about these topics was valuable because financial decisions made during college can continue to affect students after graduation.

Rogers said the event provided information she may not have learned in a traditional classroom setting, making the discussion especially beneficial for college students.

Lunch and Learn highlighted the importance of becoming financially informed early. By learning about investing, saving, debt and the changing value of money, students left with information they can use as they prepare for their financial futures.