Dollars and Sense: a Fable of Personal Finance

By Vinnie Venturella

Want to learn about the basics of personal finance in an easy-to-understand manner? In this fable, during some normal days, this family explores many of the financial topics all families, especially children, should understand. It’s written in plain, layman’s terms with a little bit of humor.

There doesn’t seem to be anywhere in American society where the basics of personal finance are taught and emphasized over a large part of a person’s life, yet we all deal with some part of personal finance every day. Knowledge and experience in this area seem to come through trial and error and perhaps through some self-study and self-exploration. But there isn’t a place you get it on a consistent or persistent basis.

This book was written using the author’s family as protagonists in this “day-in-the-life” fable to first and foremost help teach his kids some basics about personal finance. He has taken personal responsibility to teach his children these insights – for as long and they’ll let him.

If you find value in this book, please model it then share it with your family, friends and associates.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AuthorHouse
• Release date: May 10, 2021
• ISBN: 9781665525305

Vinnie Venturella

This is Vinnie’s seventeenth book. Vinnie and his wife Tammie have two daughters, Meaghan and Sophia. They live in Texas. Vinnie was born in Pittsburgh, PA. His Mom Joyce and Dad Frank were a big influence on him, and he has a twin brother, Frank and younger sister, Jill. He graduated Woodsville High School in NH. He has a Bachelor’s in Accounting from Campbell University, NC; and an MBA from Southern New Hampshire University. Vinnie retired as a Chief Master Sergeant from the Air Force after 21+ years as a Combat Controller in Air Force Special Operations. Vinnie works in the Personal Finance industry. He has a passion for reading, writing, and physical fitness.

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© 2021 Vinnie Venturella. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

Published by AuthorHouse 05/10/2021

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2531-2 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-6655-2530-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2021909634

The information, ideas, and suggestions in this book are not intended to render professional advice. Before following any suggestions contained in this book, you should consult your personal accountant or other financial advisor. Neither the author nor the publisher shall be liable or responsible for any loss or damage allegedly arising as a consequence of your use or application of any information or suggestions in this book.

Any people depicted in stock imagery provided by Getty Images are models,

and such images are being used for illustrative purposes only.

Certain stock imagery © Getty Images.

Because of the dynamic nature of the Internet, any web addresses or links contained in this book may have changed since publication and may no longer be valid. The views expressed in this work are solely those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of the publisher, and the publisher hereby disclaims any responsibility for them.

Contents

Introduction

Budgeting

Debt

Emergency Fund / Savings / Inflation

Healthcare Insurance

College Funding

What if You’re Already Wealthy

Buying a Vehicle / Vehicle Insurance

Life Insurance

Investing Basics

More Than the Investing Basics

Retirement Planning

Conclusion

Key Takeaways

This book is dedicated to my Dad Frank.

He is a master of the basics of personal

finance and lived the lessons espoused

within this book. His example should be

emulated by all parents.

Acknowledgments

Kids’ first example comes from their parents, good or bad. Parents are kids’ first teachers and everything they do is seen, heard, and more often than not emulated. I take that seriously with raising my two daughters and hope I measure up in all things. My Dad, Frank W. Venturella, Sr. was a phenomenal example when it came to personal finance. He’s old school, like a lot of people his age and lived by and touted the basics.

From my perspective he stayed well within a budget, did not spend on frivolous things, did not use credit, and saved his money. Even now as he’s nearing age 77, he is still the master of those foundational principles.

I want to thank Rex Freriks for his editing of this book and for his advice on the cover, the content, and the format. I am grateful for our friendship and lean on his advice.

Introduction

It was a great summer day. The sun was out, there wasn’t a cloud in the sky, the birds were singing, and the temperature and humidity were perfect. Tony just got back from his morning run and turned on the business news channel to see how the market futures were doing.

Up three quarters of a percent, he said to himself seeing it on the television. He thought the market would be either flat or slightly up today based on his assessment of national and international news. But things can change in a second. Everyone who invests knows that.

Isabelle had just woken up and had come downstairs to start her morning routine. She mumbled Good morning to her father, Tony.

Good morning, baby doll, how did you sleep? Tony responded.

Fine. Isabelle responded. She got her tablet and made her way to the couch to watch her videos. Dad, what’s the Powerball? She asked.

The what? her father asked not knowing if he heard her correctly.

The Powerball. The news lady on the TV said the Powerball was over five hundred million dollars. Isabelle repeated herself.

Tony looked at the television seeing the very end of the story but knowing exactly what Isabelle meant. The Powerball is a lottery that will pay the winner five hundred million dollars spread out over twenty years.

Wow, wouldn’t that be awesome if we won that? Isabelle asked incredulously.

It sure would. Her Dad responded.

Do you and Mom play the lottery? Isabelle wondered.

From time to time, sure, everyone does. Tony replied.

How much does it cost to play? Isabelle asked.

Two dollars per ticket. I normally just buy one and have the computer select my numbers for me. But other people buy a lot more than that and use numbers that mean something special to them, I guess. Tony answered thinking about what he and his family could do with the money if they in fact did win. He’d have to remind himself to get a ticket.

At that moment, Tony’s wife Michelle entered the living room having just gotten out of bed.

Momma, guess what!? Isabelle shouted.

I need my coffee. Why are you yelling? Michelle countered groggily.

The Powerball is five hundred million dollars. Did you buy a ticket yet? Isabelle sounded excited.

No, I haven’t. I guess I need to remember to buy one today. Michelle replied dismissively.

Michelle made her way to the kitchen and Tony gave her a kiss, Morning. He told her.

Someone needs a shower. Michelle smirked.

I just got back from my run. Tony commented, stating the obvious. When is Danielle getting up? He added.

She should be up by now. Please go check. She smiled at Tony.

Tony went upstairs to get up his teenage daughter Danielle. He smiled inwardly knowing she gets up when she has work, school, or swim practice but if she doesn’t have to be anywhere, she won’t get up early. Just like any other teenager he thinks to himself. He gets to her bedroom, knocks on her door, hearing nothing, he walks in. Danielle, it’s time to get up. Tony says. He has to tell her about three or four more times before he wonders if she is alive.

I’m up! Danielle yells.

No, you’re not, you’re still in bed. Now please get up and come downstairs. Tony says as he leaves her room to go get a shower.

Is Daddy off today? Isabelle asks her Mom.

Yes, he took today off. Her Mom replied sitting down to drink her coffee and watch the local news.

Danielle slogs down the stairs to the living room obviously not wanting to be up at this time.

Guess what Sissy? Isabelle yells at her sister.

What? Why are you yelling? Danielle angrily responds.

The Powerball is at five hundred million dollars. Can you believe that? Isabelle reports proudly, not really understanding how much five hundred million dollars