Reading the Financial News: Member Guide

We are all members of an intricate financial network that spans the globe, relating gold miners in South Africa to rice farmers in Japan to bankers in Switzerland to restaurant owners in the United States. The name of this financial network? The global economy. Reading the financial news is how you find out what’s going on in this delicate yet powerful system. Let us show you how.

Icebreaker

When you were growing up, did your parents read or watch the financial news? Did you pay attention to what was going on? What impact did you think world events had on your family’s finances?

Things to Talk About

Keeping up on the financial news means more than just watching CNBC occasionally. It means understanding, integrating, and prioritizing what you hear and read. What is most important to you? What do you most need to learn about?Pick the question your Club finds most interesting. If there’s still time, pick another one — or make up your own!

Have you ever taken a class on economics or finance? Did you enjoy it? Why?
Did you learn much about consumer finances or economics in middle or high school?
What do you do now to keep up with the financial news? Do you have a favorite commentator, show, magazine or website?
How would you improve financial news coverage? What do you want to learn about on a regular basis that isn’t often covered?

AS USUAL

Catch Yourself Doing Something Right

Share your success with your fellow Club members:

What Money Miracle (unexpected good fortune) did you have since last meeting?
What did you do since last meeting to become a Money Star (a money-savvy gal in charge of her finances)? How did you further your financial goals?

What Will You Do Today?

Choose one Small Step to do before next meeting, and pledge to the group to do it. To select that 15-minute exercise, ask yourself these questions:

What are your money challenges before the next meeting?
What do you need to focus on?
What is the next step in your life — and what can you do before the next meeting to achieve it?

Don’t drive yourself crazy. Remember, you can do anything for 15 minutes! For example:

I will spend 15 minutes reading a financial newspaper, magazine, or webpage. I will look further into articles on any subject that interests me.

I will subscribe to a financial newspaper or website, such as the Wall Street Journal and read it for a few minutes each morning.

I will spend 15 minutes discussing some piece of financial news with a friend or significant other. The issue can be political, social, or economic, but I will address it from a financial or economic perspective.

You get the picture. This is like Goldilocks. Don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to do too little. Do it just right. More Cool Ideas for Small Steps.

Money Attraction Affirmations

Choose one affirmation to motivate you to achieve your goals, something like:

I am financially aware.
I keep up with current events.
I am financially educated.
I am a money-savvy woman.

The Money Zone for Next Meeting

Cast your vote: Does your Money Club want to stay in this Money Zone, or do you want to move on to the next Money Zone?If your group decides to Stay in the Zone then, future Money Star, check out these fun articles so you can discuss them at your next meeting. Even if your group decides to move to the next Zone, you still can explore these on your own.MSN Home Page Discussion questions:

What articles on this page interested you?
What sections would you like to return to learn more?

Financial Glossary:

Discussion questions:

What terms did you encounter that you had not seen before?
How will learning these new words affect the way you read the financial news?

How to Further Research the Financial News

Discussion questions:

Are there any companies you’d like to research using these methods?
What further information are you inspired to seek out?

Just For You

Before the next Money Club meeting, do the Just for You Exercise called Exploring the Financial World.Don’t skip a meeting if you don’t get this done. Half of life is showing up, Money Clubs included. You can tell the group you didn’t get it done, and they will encourage you (not bug you) to make a date to do it soon.Discussion questions for your club meeting: