If I could have everyone in the world read just one book, it would be "The Richest Man in Babylon" by George S. Clason. This book is a collection of parables set in ancient Babylon that teaches the principles of wealth building and financial management through simple and easy to understand stories. It is a timeless classic that has been helping people achieve financial success for nearly a century. One of the reasons I choose "The Richest Man in Babylon" is that it is a book that provides practical and actionable advice on how to manage and grow wealth. The book's main characters are ordinary people who face common financial challenges, but through hard work, determination, and following the principles outlined in the book, they are able to achieve financial success. These principles are still relevant today and can help readers to take control of their finances and build a better future for themselves. Another reason I choose "The Richest Man in Babylon" is that it is a book that promotes financial literacy. The book is written in a simple and easy to understand language, and it covers a wide range of financial topics such as saving, investing, budgeting, and debt management. By reading this book, readers can gain the knowledge and skills they need to make smart financial decisions and achieve their financial goals. Lastly, the book is written in the form of parables, and the characters are relatable and likable, which makes it an enjoyable and entertaining read. The book is not only educational but also entertaining, which makes it an ideal choice for readers of all ages. If everyone were to read this book, we would have a much more financially literate world.

A whopping 56% of Americans are unable to cover a $1000 emergency expense. One-half of Americans carry credit card debt. 35% of Americans do not have a penny saved for retirement. These are all terrifying statistics that depict the lack of financial stability, and financial literacy, of our nation's adults. Because of this, I strive to educate myself, and my peers, on financial-related topics. Financial stability is not achieved entirely by making money, but by keeping it. Although increasing your income can be life-changing, it only matters if you know how to manage it. Personally, I am passionate about investing and the stock market! From my current job and side hustles, I try to invest about 80% of my income. I believe investing a large portion of your income is beneficial to your long-term financial well-being. Investing at a young age allows your money to compound over a longer period of time. The power of compound interest does wonders! In regard to where I invest my money, I prefer index funds and ETFs that mirror the S&P 500 Index. I also invest in individual stocks. I favor stocks that pay dividends, and I invest in companies across several industries. Investing in fairly-valued companies is crucial. Before deciding to invest in a company's stock, I always analyze the earnings, PE ratio, return on assets, book value, short & long-term debt, and a myriad of other fundamental company factors. I’ve also developed a formula to calculate the intrinsic of corporations. Comparing a company’s market capitalization to its intrinsic value helps me invest in the best companies. To make good investing decisions, it is vital to do your homework! I do most of my investing in a custodial UTMA brokerage account. Additionally, I like investing money into government bonds too. Recently, I purchased I-bonds at a 9.62% interest rate. Treasury bills are another great place to park cash. I also invest in precious metal indexes. Gold and silver are relatively safe and act as a decent inflation hedge. Overall, I believe that diversification across asset classes is key. Despite my continuous saving and investing, the cost of college proves to be a giant hurdle for me. It is intimidating to see the current college tuition rates and other college-related expenses. It is even more worrisome knowing that tuition rates are rising faster than US inflation. The only way to overcome this huge financial hurdle is to save, invest, and be disciplined with money. This is why I educate and push myself and others to make smart financial decisions.