Jo Ann Brown's Page

I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth. Before going to college in 1971, my brother in law told me that you do not have to take 4 years to graduate. He explained that you were only required to complete 120+ credit hours for a bachelors degree. At that time, you paid a flat rate per semester and you were not charged by the credit hour. I had to pay for college on my own. I only had $1,000 saved from high school babysitting - 50 cents per hour. I decided I could not afford to take 4 years to graduate from college. I successfully completed a 4 year university in 2-1/2 years. I had already finished high school 1 semester early, since I completed the needed credits. At age 19, I was ready to begin my professional career.

After graduating from college and starting a career as an auditor, I heard a story from my brother that had a significant and emotional effect on my life. My brother had a friend, who came from a different socio-economic background, received a $10,000 wedding gift from his family. I couldn't help but question how much easier my life would have been if I had started my marriage with $10,000 in the bank. It was at that moment I decided to provide my children with a similar start, but had no idea how I could make it happen. Ten years later, when I began to rehab property for resale and rental purposes, I decided to give both of my girls a similar start as my brother's friend. My children are now 20 and 28 and I have been able to provide both of them with a house and a car. My philosophy in life is, "If you can conceive it, you can achieve it."

Realizing most companies are no longer offering a pension and knowing that 77 percent of the people don't understand finance, I decided to write an easy read book on money management and investing. I have been talking to individuals all of my life about planning, budgeting, saving, and money management. The book creates a way to inform individuals by the mass instead of one person at a time; a way of identifying schools, organizations, and businesses needing finance education objectives; a way to create an opportunity for the average person to not only learn about finance but to become better money managers.

I have always set goals, made a plan and worked the plan. I believe that people get too caught up with making ends meet and they don't ever get a chance to aspire bigger dreams. Hopefully, I will be able to interest them into saving, budgeting, and planning so that they can stop living paycheck to paycheck. I know I won't save the world, but someone needs the information; will apply it to their lives; and will be glad I wrote the book - Getting Started On Your 401(k) Plan. - www.jab401k.com,

I could have not accomplished my dreams anyplace but America. Having the initiative to dream (conceive) and having the ability to plan a course of success (achieve) is what makes me proud to be a Black American. Thanks to Martin Luther King and other great citizens who have paved the way for equality, I was able to get a college degree and have a successful professional career. I was also able to become a small business entrepreneur.

I will be able to pass my dreams and accomplishments to my children and others as I teach money management skills. Let each one teach one is my moto. Share what you learn with others so that they may also rise and become the best person they can be.
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