VALUES The beliefs and practices in your life that are very important to you. Influences: Family Friends Work Media Self Reliance Others (boss, teacher, neighbor) Religion

Where do we get values? (Age greatly influences your values) Ages 1 – 7 Parents Ages 8 – 13 Teachers, heroes (sports,rock,TV) Ages 14 – 20 Peers Ages 21 + Values are established, but you may test them from time to time

Why Determine Values? Understand yourself better Better able to face new situations Better able to make good decisions and goals More confident Less likely to make decisions based on peer pressure More self respect when you follow YOUR value system

List 10 things you love to do How we spend our TIME and MONEY determines what we value.

Values strongly influence our spending habits Values strongly influence our spending habits. We don’t usually spend our money on things we do not feel are important. Typically, the more important something is, the more we are willing to spend on it.

Put a STAR by the five most important Write a $ beside those activities that cost money to do them Put a “W” beside those activities you do once a week Beside each activity write how long it has been since you did the activity

Modeling is the strongest way that values are taught.

Family Values—What does your family tell you about the following? Grades in school Dating Spending money Using drugs or alcohol Graduating from high school Getting married Getting a job Saving money Going to college Having children

Characteristics of Values Values are personal Our actions point to what we really value Our values give direction & consistency to our behavior Apathy and inconsistencies indicate absence of values Values change as experiences change When faced with alternatives, values determine choices Feelings are more accurate value-indicators than thoughts What we value gives us our identity We make value assumptions about everything Values establish a relationship between us and the world

Financial Values Categories Concern for Others Measure of Success Security Freedom and Flexibility Purchasing Power Status Seeking Necessity

Concern for Others Money can be used to help your family and friends, to support causes you believe in, and to make the world a better place for everyone. You would not want to choose a job that was harmful to others or unethical. You might consider a job in one of the helping professions.

Measure of Success You think of your salary as a report card, the higher it is the better you are doing. You want to be at the head of the class. You may be willing to take calculated risks if the possibility of earnings is great enough.

Security You think that the best thing about money is the security it provides. You probably wouldn’t want to start your own business or invest your time and money in any kind of risky venture.You want to make sure all of your economic needs will be met, that you don’t have to worry about losing your job, your health, or your savings.

Freedom and Flexibility People who like freedom and flexibility that money gives them don’t like to be controlled by others. They often find happiness in jobs as entrepreneurs. It is very important for them to be in charge of their own lives, to do what they want to do. Displaying your wealth is not important, but spending extra income for travel and household help would be a priority.

Purchasing Power You will want to earn enough money to buy what you want, when you want it. It’s important to always have the most, the latest, and the best of everything. If you don’t make a salary to meet your needs, you are in danger of over-using your credit card.

Status Seeking You like the recognition that money can bring and the status and power it can deliver. Money is a status symbol in our society, and people who have it are likely to be treated well. They have the material goods, and also the influence necessary to get other people to do what they want. You require a high paying job, or a job that lets you associate with wealthy people.

Necessity You can live simply and happily with a small, but adequate income. You can accept a job you like even though it doesn’t pay very much.

Stand Up For Your Values