Financing one’s funds is one of the most crucial things a student should learn, especially whilst still in high school. Fortunately, the high school provides students with a course specified to teaching high schoolers to budget their money, use credit cards, and the steps to making their first big purchase whether it’s a car, apartment, or even something as smaller as a new device. 

The Career and Technical Education course, Money Matters, is back this year with a new face instructing the class. After taking Mrs. Ikeler’s spot due to retirement, Mrs. Champion has taken knowledge from Mrs. Ikeler and put her own spin on it. 

Mrs. Champion taught the CTE class, Introduction to Culinary, last year, teaching students the basics of culinary arts. But when administration asked her to take over Money Matters, she was extremely excited.

“Mrs. Ikeler, my mentor, taught this class before I did,” Champion said. “She really set me up for success. I cannot thank her enough.”

Mrs. Champion has been teaching CTE courses for six years; three of those years have been in Joshua ISD. She began her teaching career instructing junior high and high school students in College and Career Prep. Although, back in high school she was not personally offered any CTE courses to prepare for the real world, other than Home Economics, so she is very passionate about CTE courses.

“CTE courses are valuable to all students,” Champion said.  “They prepare students for adulthood after high school.”

Mrs. Champion has always maintained a job. As a youth, before high school, she worked in babysitting, then when she began driving, she held various retail jobs. 

She then later graduated from Stephen F. Austin University with a degree in Fashion Merchandising and Marketing. This explains her vast knowledge in financing. Marketing careers involve the understanding of finances and how it can better benefit people in the long run. 

When it came to paying for college, Mrs. Champion was fortunate enough to have her parents help with college expenses, but she claims getting her basics done at a junior/community college then transferring to a 4-year-university helped a ton with expenses. 

With a degree in marketing plus her vast experience in financing, this comes with a lot of pointers and advice to be given.

Here is Mrs. Champion’s advice for students financing their money:

What is your goal for your Money Matters students? 

“I’d like for students to leave for adulthood with a binder full of all the important factors to adulting (their Money Matters binder)”

When should students start saving their money, and how?

“Students should start saving now. Find a source of income and put as much away into a savings account as possible. Ideally, this would be at least 20%.”

When should students get a credit card?

“Students should get a credit card upon entering adulthood, in my opinion.”

How can students raise their credit scores?

“Credit scores can be raised by making consistent payments on debts and staying away from high interest rates.”

 How should students create a budget?

“Students should create a budget by allocating their money to go to certain things, each month. The 50/20/30 method might be a good starting point. Put 50% of your money towards needs, 30% towards wants, and 20% towards savings. Reevaluate at the end of the month to increase savings as much as possible.”

How should students create a budget?

“Students should create a budget by allocating their money to go to certain things, each month. The 50/20/30 method might be a good starting point. Put 50% of your money towards needs, 30% towards wants, and 20% towards savings. Reevaluate at the end of the month to increase savings as much as possible.”

What is your best advice to people seeking to get out of debt?

“My best advice is to use the snowball method, which is Dave Ramsey’s method of getting debt where you pay off debt in order of smallest to largest.”

 What is your best advice to students when it comes to beginning their finances for the future?

“My best advice is to stay out of debt as much as possible while saving as much money as possible.”