Residents in Wisconsin’s St. Croix Valley are high achievers on several fronts, including academic advancement and high earning power. It starts at an early age. Kiddos learn their A-B-C’s and 1, 2, 3’s. Some move on to Do-Re-Mi. Athletes learn X’s and O’s for TD’s and PAT’s. Some become PhDs.

High achievement sometimes revolves around education merging with opportunity. Back-to-the-Basics supporters emphasize Reading, ’riting, and ’rithmetic, meaning core content and subjects. More modern education has evolved to three newer R’s – Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships. With Rigor, teachers get to know their students as learners, and in doing so, instruction is tailored to meet their respective needs. Understanding the ‘Why’ behind learning aligns with Relevance. As students understand the connections between the subject matter they’re learning and practical applications, they become motivated to learn even more. Relationships boil down to a sense of connection between teachers and students. The class clown, however, may seek a couple Recess sessions to go with Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships for even greater balance.

What about Financial Literacy? Do valley residents, students, and wage earners overachieve with this discipline? Financial literacy may seem like a Greek language. If so, it’s pronounced along the lines, fa-nan(t)-shel li-t(a-)ra se. If it’s still Greek, the School of Hard Knocks Dictionary explains it as the ability to understand and effectively use various financial skills, including personal financial management, budgeting, and investing.

Why the worry and hand wringing? An uncertain economy is impacting how Americans are able to save for emergencies. Less is available for higher and higher expenses. About a year ago, 49 percent of Americans said they were ill-equipped to cover a $400 emergency expense, according to a YouGov survey for the Economic Security Project. In a February 2023 Bankrate survey, 49 percent of U.S. adults had fewer savings compared to a year ago and ten percent had no savings. The same Bankrate survey indicated 25 percent of people would use a credit card for an unexpected $1,000 expense and pay it off over time. It’s the largest percentage relying on a credit card option in the history of Bankrate’s survey since 2014. On the brighter side, 43 percent of survey respondents said they’d pay the $1,000 emergency expense from savings.

An old timer named Aesop has a favorite fable that involves resourceful ants storing food ahead of winter and a grasshopper that spent the summer singing and dancing. When winter arrived, the grasshopper was in need of food and the ants had a stockpile. The moral: Work today for what you’ll need tomorrow.

While public schools in Wisconsin provide or require a financial literacy course, it’s not mandatory. Assembly Bill 109 has been introduced in Madison. If enacted, high school students must earn a half-credit on personal financial literacy in order to graduate. A half-credit is a good start but it’s the tip of the iceberg.

In many schools, volunteer-led Junior Achievement (JA) programs help connect students to basic economic principles, including work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. JA says its alums are more likely to have a college degree, feel confident managing money, have career success, and have started a business as an adult.

Today’s K-12 students are challenged mightily to learn financial discipline. Be an ant and not a grasshopper. Once they get it, they get it, as high achievers often do. Sometimes it takes a self-made business owner, civic leader, mayor, banker or retired grandparent to answer the call as a JA mentor/volunteer. It’s something to consider for the next school year. Chances are, JA is a learning experience for both volunteers and students. Who’s in?

For better or worse, another rite of passage for senior high students is prom. Just like the first robin in mid-March, residents of Wisconsin’s St. Croix Valley will soon witness well-dressed young adults filling up tables and booths at high-end restaurants. For those on a budget, Culver’s, Mikey D’s, and Arby’s are just fine too.

Rising inflation has impacted prom. A few crisp Ben Franklin’s don’t go as far as they used to. Meanwhile, D-A-D or M-O-M is still spelled A-T-M, so just like the freshman who was called-up to the varsity basketball team, both will come through in the clutch. Dads, moms, and the freshman will experience nothing-but-the-net at the most critical moment.

AMARRA is a high-end retailer of formal wear. AMARRA’s website answers their own question, “How much will attending Prom 2023 Cost?” They note anywhere from $150 to $2,000 which is why it’s important to start with a budget as a way to plan where to spend big and where to be thrifty.

According to AMARRA, prom costs should include the following:
-Prom Tickets ($50 to $120) usually determined by the venue and if dinner is catered
-The Proposal ($40 to $330) i.e. the bouquet of roses, miniature pony parade, or other
-Prom Dress ($85 to $700) it’s most likely the most expensive item for prom
-Tux Rental ($60 to $130) dressing to the nines means a modern look, traditional, or trendy
-Shoes ($30 to $150) note that Chuck Taylor canvass shoes are a stellar option
-Jewelry and Accessories ($45 to $200) apparently prom jewelry creates a cohesive look
-Corsage or Boutonniere ($15 to $60) the floral tradition may be a little dated but makes a magical occasion even more special
-Hair, Makeup, Nails and Skincare ($50 to $350) DYI means a big savings, or a professional salon means it adds to the prom costs
-Grand Total: costs are not the same for every young lady or man. On average, a girl attending prom will spend $900 to $1,000 (M-O-M or D-A-D equals ATM)

Meanwhile, $900 or $1,000 is money that could be put toward college, Hello World! Numerous websites suggest shopping for gently-used and vintage dresses at consignment or thrift stores. Better yet, borrow a dress or swap a dress with a friend or relative who may attend a different school or lives a time zone away. With the popularity of YouTube and Tik Tok there are tutorials floating around on hair styling and makeup. Instead of a school-sponsored dinner or pricey restaurant experience, consider gathering with other couples at M-O-M or D-A-D’s home. Dear Old D-A-D still knows his way around the grill.

For an over-the-top expense saver, there’s the reliable duct tape option for apparel. Duckbrands.com awards scholarships for the best use of their products on gowns or tuxes. First place is a $10,000 cash scholarship for both the dress/gown and tux categories. Eight runner-up prizes of $500 are also awarded.

Remember, prom is da bomb. Prom participants in Wisconsin’s St. Croix Valley are determined to make their evenings memorable. Have fun. Make memories. Come back to M-O-M and D-A-D safe.