GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 5, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Former Wall Street advisor and long-time life skills coach Afarin Homer is teaching financial literacy classes to kids and teens who want to learn basic money management and investment strategies this summer.

"If we make our kids money-smart now, they will enjoy a lifetime of financial literacy and responsibility and, hopefully, not make the same financial mistakes of previous generations," Homer said. "As consumers, investors, entrepreneurs and voters, we all make decisions that involve finance and economics every day. Financially savvy citizens will be able to ensure their financial well-being in a changing and complex world."

Too often, parents wait until their kids are in high school to teach them about money, and many young adults are graduating from college mired in credit card debt.

Homer, who is the executive director of the MD-based Youth Leadership Training Academy (YLTA) , and brings more than two decades of financial and skills teaching with her, says it's never too early to teach kids how to save.

She will teach young people, ages 9 to 18, about banking, budgeting, owning credit cards, investing and paying taxes—the skills they need to become financially knowledgeable adults. Students who have taken her financial courses say they are better equipped to manage their money.

"Financial Fitness for Teens has taught me to evaluate the things I buy with more thought," said Aaron, a former student. "It has helped me to make smarter financial decisions and realize the opportunity cost of my decisions."

My Money Matterz is a program for kids ages 9 to 11. Financial Fitne$$ for Teens is geared toward middle school students. Smart Money for Savvy Teens is designed for high school students. The week-long classes will be held at the Rockville and Germantown campuses of Montgomery College, starting June 20 and running through Aug. 5. Each 15-hour session costs $250.

The award-winning YLTA is a leading after-school programs provider of financial literacy, character and leadership development education for grades 4 to 12 in Montgomery County, Md. and the Greater Washington area. Their mission is to help today's youth develop real-life skills needed to succeed as informed, responsible and productive citizens in a global economy.

www.theylta.com

SOURCE Youth Leadership Training Academy

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