Mike W. Bryant
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Dec 14/01) - Mildred Hall school wants its students to start their financial planning for the future right now.

"If your parents started saving at your age they wouldn't have a mortgage, but they didn't have anybody like myself come to visit their classroom," John Williston, a consultant with Investors Group Financial Services Inc., told a class of 11 students in grades 5-8.

Whether they make their money through babysitting, allowances, or doing odd jobs, Williston told them that if they were to save half their earnings now, they would be well positioned when they enter the working world.

"If they can develop a habit of saving for something important to them when they're getting their first jobs, it will stay with them for a lifetime," Williston explained.

Guidance counsellor Wendy Wile said that even though her role has been traditionally associated with helping troubled students, she feels it is important that all students learn how to apply lifestyle skills early.

This year, she planned a series of seminars for middle school students so that they can get a "heads up" before entering high school.

The financial planning session was the second of several lifestyle/workstyle seminars at the school throughout the year.

Last month, RCMP paid a visit to the school to hold a seminar on safety and self-defence.

"This (financial planning seminar) is one the students asked for," said Wile. "They showed a lot of interest."

Grade 6 student Christine Glowach said she had been babysitting for the last year, and was taking Williston's advice very seriously.

"I put all my money on my bank card, and I've only spent $20 dollars of it," said Glowach. Another Student, Keenan Miller, said he is thinking of selling the dirt bike that he purchased last summer and saving the proceeds, so that by the time he's old enough to get his driver's licence, he will be able to afford a car. "I'm trying to save up money to buy a beater," said the Grade 7 student.