Township student sounds alarm on ‘silent killer’ of kids
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
TOWNSHIP OF WASHINGTON
A high school sophomoreʼs effort to promote and fund cardiac screenings for young people— proactively identifying underlying heart conditions that can lead to sudden cardiac arrest—earned support from Township of Washington officials at the May 5 council meeting.
Jordan Schwartz, a sophomore at Westwood Regional High School, told the mayor and council that he hopes to expand cardiac screening opportunities for students in grades 9–12. He said the idea took root after a tragedy in Mahwah, where a 16-year-old boy died unexpectedly after a meal at home. The cause: an undiagnosed heart condition.
His aunt, a teacher in Mahwah, had her own son—also 16— screened as a precaution. “They found he had an underlying heart condition that would never have been known had the screening not been done,” Schwartz said. His cousin underwent a procedure that, Schwartz added, “saved his life.”
Schwartz also underwent screening and was found to be in good health.
“I just thought it was important to make our community and schools aware of this ʻsilent killer,ʼ” he said.
Schwartz emphasized that many families have no idea their children may have underlying cardiac conditions. He pointed to other schools—Mahwah, Waldwick, and Don Bosco Prep—that currently offer screenings.
This year, Mahwah High School screened 142 students, identifying three with abnormalities requiring follow-up.
“It doesnʼt just apply to athletes. It can happen to anyone,” he said.
Citing American Pediatric Association guidance, Schwartz noted that children should be screened every two years, particularly when thereʼs a family history of heart disease. He added that 1 in 300 young people may have an undiagnosed heart condition and called sudden cardiac arrest the “number one killer” of studentathletes.
“A simple EKG or echocardiogram can save a life,” he said, noting that AEDs are reactive tools, whereas screenings are
proactive. “Most cardiac fatalities occur before the defibrillator can be used.”
Schwartz is working with mCore Foundation, a nonprofit that provides cardiac education, research, and screenings for children and young adults. He said the group screens approximately 5,000 children annually and finds abnormalities in about 5% of those tested.
He began advocating for screenings last year as a freshman. Though mCoreʼs standard fee is $79, Schwartz said theyʼve subsidized the cost to $25 per student by seeking donations from local businesses.
He said he has raised $2,300 of a $3,200 goal through grassroots efforts and distributed fliers to spread awareness. He appealed to the council for help publicizing the screenings and noted that he is in discussions with Hackensack Meridian Health about potential collaboration.
Of 62 screening slots made available, 55 have already been filled. Additional funds would allow more screenings to be offered. Schwartz said the program is open to all students in grades
9–12.
Council Vice President Steven Cascio said the township would post information about the effort on its website. Council President Michael DeSena said he would encourage the local Baseball & Softball Association to match a previous donation to support the initiative.
Councilwoman Daisy Velez suggested the effort have a presence at next yearʼs town Health Fair and 5K Run.
Township Health Director Judi Beckmeyer said she would explore the possibility of launching a broader community outreach campaign.
Mayor Peter Calamari called Schwartzʼs statistics “surprising and alarming,” and said he hopes insurance companies will consider covering the screenings in the future. With the councilʼs approval, he committed $500 from the 5K Health Fair Trust Fund to support the initiative.
Chad Ogden, director of partnership development at mCore, said the groupʼs mobile cardiac units provide convenient, costeffective screenings for studentathletes ages 12–22.
“The American Heart Association says 1 in 100 kids has an abnormality they do not know about and therefore are at risk of sudden cardiac arrest,” Ogden said.
The organization, which stands for Mobile Cardiac Overview and Risk Education, is a
registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit. Since 2014, the foundation has provided educational programs and low- or no-cost screenings to more than 36,000 children nationwide.
For more information, visit mcorefoundation.org.
Big moves in River Vale:179 units, $5M in bonds
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
RIVERVALE
The Township Council approved 179 affordable units as its fourth-round obligation on April 28, following a mediation session with the New Jersey Builders Association and the state's Affordable Housing Dispute Resolution Program, said the township business administrator.
Administrator Gennaro Rotella, also chief financial offi-
cer, confirmed the new affordable obligation number, which was lower than the 195 units proposed by the state Department of Community Affairs in October 2024, and a slight increase over the 147 adopted by the council to meet the Jan. 31, 2025, deadline.
The fourth-round affordable obligation runs from July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2035. Efforts to reach Mayor Mark Bromberg for comment were not immediately successful.
All towns subject to presentneed (rehabilitation) and prospective-need (new construction) affordable obligations — as well as unmet prior-round obligations — must submit a Housing Element and Fair Share Plan by June 30, 2025. Challenges to such plans must be filed by Aug. 31.
Local officials said they originally reduced the obligation from 195 to 147 units by adjusting the Land Capacity Factor to exclude properties that are not vacant or developable, including preserved open space, developed properties, and land listed in the NJDEP Recreation and Open Space Inventory (ROSI).
“This adjustment reduced the total housing obligation from 195 units to 147 units,” reads their January resolution.
Moreover, the resolution notes that the townshipʼs affordable number is “subject to adjustments made to account” for future court decisions or challenges to the amended Fair Housing Act or DCA methodology, any legislative changes or third-party challenges, as well as durational or vacant land adjustments adopted as part of the Housing Element and Fair Share Plan.
Most Pascack Valley towns included similar language in ordinances adopting round-four obligation numbers by Jan. 31. (Ordinances are posted at njcourts.gov/courts/civil/affordable-housing/bergen.)
$5M in bond ordinances approved
Council also appropriated $4,132,723 for general municipal improvements, which included $3,926,087 in bonds or notes.
Additionally, the council appropriated $1,017,500 for improvements at the townshipowned River Vale Country Club, including $966,625 in golf course utility bonds.
Rotella previously told Pascack Press that taxpayers are not charged for golf course utility bonds. (See “Fire truck, fairway and fresh pavement: Council floats $5M bond package; hearing April 28,” by Michael Olohan, April 26, 2025, thepressgroup.net).
Council also approved an $18,400 contract with Watch Us Grow Landscape Design LLC, Northvale, for design and landscape services at River Vale Public Library, and a $3,385 contract with Rain Flow Sprinkler Systems for lawn sprinkler installation there.
Rotella told us, “The library landscaping will be done shortly after the irrigation system is completed. This will complement all of the patio work done behind the library and give everything a fresh look.”
Latest fest win for ‘Daughter of Mine’
“Daughter of Mine,” the powerful short film chronicling Rosemarie DʼAlessandroʼs decades-long fight for justice following the murder of her daughter Joan, was awarded Best Short Film at the New Jersey Documentary Film Festival, held May 2–4 at the Sparta Avenue Stage in Sparta, N.J.
The annual festival, now in its fifth year, showcased 24 films from around the world exploring compelling stories and global social issues. “Daughter of Mine,” directed by Vanessa Martino, was featured alongside “Unpunished,” a documentary about Ronald Greeneʼs case and his motherʼs search for answers. DʼAlessandro attended the screening with family and supporters of the Joanʼs Joy Foundation and connected with fellow filmmaker Chico Bryant, of Jersey City.
The overview for Bryantʼs film:“When a Black motorist dies in Louisiana police custody, a whistleblower state trooper risks everything to expose the truth. As body camera footage reveals the brutal reality behind the cover-up, Ronald Greeneʼs family fights a powerful system of corruption, igniting a battle that challenges
Gilded:
PAGE 4
City, to dispose of a large block of building plots in the development.
In May 1910, the company hosted a two-day auction of 600 lots. They offered free transportation to the sale from Jersey City and Hackensack via a special train, and a military band was hired for a parade.
Over $5,000 in prizes, including four upright pianos, were given away. The company sold 250 lots in the auction, although, once again, the majority were not developed. It wasn't until the postWorld War II population boom that the neighborhood became filled with houses.
Hillsdale’s Rosemarie D’Alessandro connects with ‘Unpunished’ flimmaker Chico Bryant at the New Jersey Documentary Film Festival, held May 2–4 at Sparta. Vanessa Martino’s film ‘Daughter of Mine,’ about the murder of Joan D’Alessandro, and mom Rosemarie’s child-safety activism, took first place at the festival. Courtesy photos.
the very foundation of law enforcement accountability in America.”
For more on “Daughter of Mine” and the Joanʼs Joy mission,
visit daughterofminefilm.com and joansjoy.org.
Festival details are available at njdocfest.com.
— John Snyder
$95 average tax hike; bonds pass on safety vehicles
BY MICHAELOLOHAN OF PASCACK PRESS
A unanimous council approved nearly $2 million in bonds on April 29 for the purchase of a new ambulance, sport utility vehicles for the police department, and two road resurfacings in 2025, officials said.
Borough administrator Joseph Voytus told Pascack Press that it was likely the three towns involved in the Tri-Boro Volunteer Ambulance Service—includ-
ing Park Ridge and Woodcliff Lake—would contribute to the ambulance's purchase. “Negotiations are underway with the towns and Tri-Boro,” he said.
T he council appropriated $1,840,300, to be funded by $1,779,200 in bonds for various
capital improvements. It was not immediately clear what the bondʼs tax impact would be on the average assessed home of $549,604 in Montvale.
The bonded improvements include $400,000 for purchasing a new ambulance, plus related costs and expenditures; $70,000 for Building & Grounds to close an u nderground storage tank; $216,000 for renovations to the Memorial Drive complex, including a synthetic turf field; and $200,000 to the DPW for a truck with a snowplow.
Of the $216,000 dedicated to
field renovations, $84,277 will be reimbursed from a county Open Space grant.
Other engineering costs covered by the bond include resurfacing Woodland Road ($364,000) and Paragon Drive ($241,000).
The borough will also be reimbursed $186,939 for Woodland Road via an NJDOT grant, and $209,055 for Paragon Drive through another NJDOT grant.
In addition, the fire department will receive $70,000 for mobile and portable radios, $32,000 for thermal imaging cameras, and $64,000 for self-contained breathing apparatus and personal protective equipment.
The police department is receiving $17,900 for car computers with routers, $28,400 for automatic license plate readers, and $22,000 to acquire fitness equipment.
Budget passes; $95 tax increase
Also at the meeting, the council unanimously passed the 2025–2026 municipal budget of $23,600,695. The budget includes a municipal tax increase of 2.87%, or $94.49, on an average assessed home of $549,604.
Montvaleʼs tax increase remains below inflation, said Council President Timothy Lane, who presented the budget.
He said the average home has increased $55,000 in value over the past year—and $240,000, or 38%, over the past five years. He attributed those increases to
investments in public safety, recreation, and roads.
He displayed a $100 bill illustration showing “where your t ax dollar goes”: $24.31 to municipal taxes; $0.59 to municipal open space; $1.63 to the p ublic library; $61.90 to schools—including $34.70 for local schools and $27.20 for the r egional high school—and $11.08 to county taxes.
“This budget represents a balance between necessary fiscal restraint and long-term investment in the community that our residents deserve,” Lane said.
DePieroʼs farm property
Officials told Pascack Press that the $5 million acquisition of the DePiero farm p roperty—8.4 acres off Summit A venue, purchased last year by Montvale—is still being farmed by the DePiero family. That arrangement is likely to end in August 2025.
Once the land is acquired by the borough, Mayor Mike Ghassali has said, portions of the property will continue to be farmed through leases to local farmers. Some of the land will be turned into community gardens, and a portion will be devoted to a pick-your-own strawberry farm for residents.
WEEKEND MASS SCHEDULE
Saturday Vigil Mass: 5:30 PM Sunday Masses: 7:30 AM (no music) 9:30 AM 11:00 AM 12:30 PM - Spanish Evening: 6:15 PM
DAILY MASS
Monday thru Friday 6:30 am and 8:30 am Saturday Morning: 8:30 AM
FROM PAGE 1
— and this is your park for your enjoyment. This is only the start of improving Woodcliff Lake. We are committed as the council and mayor to continue on this improvement,” said Rendo.
He said the park would not have become reality without significant contributions from many people, including DMR Planner Frances Reiner and Neglia Engineer Anthony Kurus. Rendo recognized all the donors — including resident Marilyn Clark, noting the park could not have been built
without her contribution.
Rendo thanked those contributing by purchasing benches ($6,000) and trees ($1,000). (Several remain available for residents who move fast, officials said. Details are on the borough website.)
Rendo described the timeline leading to the dayʼs revels: a decade ago he “pleaded” for county Open Space Trust Fund grant money for the then-proposed Galaxy Gardens park, and the county came through with approximately $700,000 toward that end.
Rendo thanked several bench sponsors who have donated $6,000 or more apiece to help fund the parkʼs construction.
Rendo thanked borough coun-
cils past and present for shepherding the project — and, vitally, seeing the need for open space. He emphasized that creating the park there cleaned up an “environmentally impacted area” — the site of the former nursery/garden center called Galaxy Gardens, and a service station.
The borough purchased the former Galaxy Gardens property in early 2018 for $1.65 million. To prepare it for safe public use, approximately $500,000 was spent on environmental cleanup, followed by $2.75 million in construction. A legal settlement related to the acquisition added $1.5 million to the total, bringing the overall investment to around $6.4 million, excluding soft costs.
In a statement shared on May 6, Bergen County noted it awarded Woodcliff Lake a total of $746,506 in Open Space Trust Fund grants between 2015 and 2021, “including a significant $500,000 grant for land acquisition. The new park, a culmination of this funding and years of planning, is designed to serve as a central gathering place for recreation, nature, and community connection for years to come. Woodcliff Lake officials thanked the County for its continued support in enhancing local open space and creating new opportunities for residents to enjoy the outdoors.”
“I was thrilled to celebrate the opening of this incredible new park in Woodcliff Lake—made possible through our Open Space Trust Fund, which supported both land acquisition and development,” said Commissioner Chairwoman Mary Amoroso. “This space will now serve as a hub for community events, recreation, and connection for generations.”
County Executive Jim Tedesco added, “This new park in Woodcliff Lake is a great example of how the Bergen County Open Space Trust Fund helps our towns bring long-term community plans to life. By working together and
investing in open space, weʼre protecting land, expanding recreational access, and creating places where people can come together.”
Rendo said events at the park will include SpringFest on May 17, Movie Night In The Park on May 22, and a Memorial Day ceremony on May 26. He said events
submissions and recommended finalists to the Borough Council, which made the final selection later in the fall. The goal was to choose a name that reflected the spirit of the community and fostered a sense of belonging.
Council President Joshua Stern thanked 39th District State
could include poetry readings and musical entertainment.
The name Woodcliff Park was selected following a community naming contest that ran through September 2024. A committee of council members Julie Brodsky, Jennifer Margolis, and Nicole Marsh, along with Recreation Director Ryan Magee, reviewed
Sen. Holly Schepisi, Assemblyman Robert Auth, and Assemblyman John Azzariti Jr. for attending. He thanked Bergen County commissioners Mary Amoroso, Joan Voss, and Thomas J. Sullivan, who were in attendance. And he thanked the Pascack Valley
Officials show off BergenCounty Open Space funds that made Woodcliff Park possible. Michael Olohan photo.
Fun at Woodclif Park on opening day. Michael Olohan photo.
The ribbon is cut on May 3. Michael Olohan photo.
FROM PAGE 1
first in female age 40–49) said a second water station was set up on the course to meet the need. The Washington Township Volunteer Ambulance Corps had rigs and crews standing by, and all set forth below a huge American flag hoisted by the Township of Washington Volunteer Fire Department.
Benjamin Sam, 15, of Dumont, was the overall winner with a time of 18:32. Among female participants, 16-year-old Madison Mahoney of the Township of Washington led the field at 22:26. More than 50 runners
Left: The Quintana family’s Javian, Nicholas, Michael, and Suzanne (with Ryan as their cheering section) pin their race bibs. Right: Registration and two golden trophies. Organized by the Township’s Department of Public Affairs and Green Team as part of the Mayor’s Spring Into Wellness campaign, the day combined a certified 5K with a health fair. John Snyder photos.
and walkers took part, with children, parents, and seniors enjoying the festive atmosphere.
A contingent of dozens from the De Novo Harriers powered through the course, capping weeks of intense beginner finisher training. (“Founded in 2014, the goal of the Harriers is to show ridiculous support to not only our members but the entire running community. Our mantra is anytime, any place, and any pace for our members who run distances from 5K up to ultra-marathons.”)
Sponsors included Auth and Azzariti for Assembly (silver), and Clemente Orthodontics, Vote Repub-
lican – Pallotta for Assembly, De Novo Harriers, and The Chelsea at Washington Township (Bronze).
Special thanks were extended to all supporter level and food sponsors, whose contributions helped make the event a success.
Winners earned trophies, finishers received swag, and children enjoyed family-friendly activities while adults browsed wellness resources and township mainstays, including the police and rec departments and VFW. Proceeds from the race will fund scholarships for high school seniors pursuing health-related careers.
Last-minute
Velez gave us her recap after the event: “It was a great success. We had a total of 184 registered participants. We lost several people because of the potential for heavy rain but the weather was in our favor. In fact it turned out to be a bit too hot, but luckily the Township scouts were able to secure enough volunteers to man a second water station. So on Friday night I was running around buying extra supplies for it! They did a great job!”
For more photos from this event, see THEPRESSGROUP NET for “Townshipʼs third Spring Into Wellness 5K and Health Fair bring winners running,” by John Snyder
Eva Baty (left) and Grace Matra sing the national anthem, kicking off the 5K. John Snyder photo.
stretches! John Snyder photo.
SAM MAHONEY
eats Dining & Cooking Guide
FROM PAGE 2
foreseeable future”?
Does that mean weʼre in a geographic pocket of infertility? Probably not, but it suggests that many, if not most, district taxpayers have put all their kids through pre-K–12 and are still here footing the bill without needing the service.
Theyʼve heard the edu-argum ent, through past enrollment increases and persistent present declines, that schools raise property values. They understand that a higher value on a property that produces no income — and is simply a cherished base of comfort — has a high tax consequence.
T hey may ask themselves why, with enrollment declining, the district still uses about 70% of its budget for salaries and benefits and why the school bureaucracy includes an assistant business administrator when one traditionally has been enough.
Why does the budget need to draw $38.348 from an “emergency reserve” to “improve school security district-wide?” Whatʼs the security emergency? Is it for another school resource officer, a “good guy with a gun,”
a ccording to former National Rifle Association President Wayne LaPierre? Does the $38,000 allocation have anything to do with “bleeding control training for all staff and students”?
Property owner involvement with schools should be about more than paying school taxes, or yelling about what goes on in the library, once a quiet place.
Kurt F. Kron, Montvale
Gabriella Ianni and Chris Camp
To the editor:
NAMESON a ballot are just that: names Behind them are neighbors: real people who live here in Hillsdale and who care deeply about making our town stronger, more connected, and more responsive to everyone who calls it home.
Like many of you, we juggle careers, parenting, and the everyday challenges of busy lives. Running for office wasnʼt in the original plan, and certainly not on their respective bingo cards — but sometimes when you want to see real change, you need to step in,
step up and be part of it.
Before you head to the polls and see our names on the ballot for Hillsdale Borough Council, weʼd like to introduce ourselves.
Gabriella Ianni has spent her career shaping stories in the music industry — from the energy of live radio to navigating record labels and corporate partnerships. Her leadership at work is only matched by the daily work of raising three young kids. Whether sheʼs advocating in the school-
yard, volunteering on committees, coaching rec soccer or pushing for better support for small businesses and underserved neighbors, she brings empathy, strategy, and heart to everything she does.
Chris Camp is a familiar face around Hillsdale. As a father, coach, and volunteer, heʼs been part of the townʼs fabric — coaching T-ball, helping lead as a Comm issioner at the Stonybrook Swim Club, and serving since
2017 on the Democratic County Committee, where heʼs now Vice-Chair. His career in media c ommunications is all about turning data and analytics and the complexity it carries into clear, actionable insights, a skill he brings to civic life, too. At the core of everything we do is one value, our guiding principle: community
To us, community means breaking down barriers for small
CONTINUED ON PAGE 27
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KOHLMEIERNAMEDTO FORBES 2025 BEST-IN-STATE WEALTH ADVISORS LIST
Eric Kohlmeier, senior financial advisor and managing director – investments at Wells Fargo Advisors in Park Ridge, has been named one of Forbesʼ2025 BestIn-State Wealth Advisors.
The annual list, compiled by Forbes in partnership with SHOOK Research, recognizes advisors who demonstrate a steadfast commitment to helping clients achieve long-term financial success.
“Itʼs an honor to be recognized by Forbes,” said Kohlmeier. “As investment planning becomes more complex, my top priority is to work closely with clients to help them feel confident in all facets of their financial lives and reach both their short- and long-term goals.”
Kohlmeier brings more than 35 years of experience in the financial services industry. He has served on the boards of the Helen Hayes Hospital Foundation and the Lower Hudson Valley Challenger Center, and volunteers with the Rockland County Sheriffʼs Department. He resides in Greenwood Lake, N.Y., with his wife, Elizabeth, and their two sons, Justin and Jonathan.
The 2025 Forbes Best-InState Wealth Advisors list was published in April 2024 and is based on data compiled by SHOOK Research for the period
from June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2024. Rankings consider factors such as industry experience, assets under management, compliance records, revenue, and qualitative data from interviews. Investment performance is not a criterion.
About Wells Fargo Advisors
Wells Fargo Advisors, with $2.139 trillion in client assets as of Dec. 31, 2024, provides personalized investment guidance through a national network of financial professionals. It is part of Wells Fargo Wealth & Investment Management, one of the largest wealth managers in the U.S. Brokerage services are offered through Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, and Wells Fargo Advisors Financial Network, LLC, both Members SIPC and non-bank affiliates of Wells Fargo & Company.
About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company with approximately $1.9 trillion in assets. It provides a wide range of
and
through its four business segments. Wells Fargo ranked No. 34 on Fortuneʼs 2024 list of Americaʼs
Eric Kohlmeier
Health,Wellness &FitnessGuide
DR. KAPLAN: Straighten up: the posture/brain connection
Weʼve become a nation of slumpers — hunched over phones, slouched at desks, curled into couches like fossilized shrimp. Our shoulders round forward, our necks crane downward — and our brains? They might be paying the price. That nagging neck pain or persistent brain fog might not be just age or stress. Your posture could be playing a larger role than you think.
Posture isn't just about how we look — it affects how we function. It impacts breathing, circulation, and the nervous system, especially the autonomic nervous system, which
helps regulate critical processes like heart rate, digestion, and energy levels. Poor posture can increase tension, shallow breathing, and contribute to feelings of fatigue and mental fog.
There's a strong connection between how we carry ourselves and how we feel. Someone feeling down often walks with slouched shoulders and a downcast gaze. Meanwhile, confident, energized people tend to stand tall with their heads held high and their shoulders back. Thatʼs not just perception — posture influences how we breathe and move, which can, in turn, impact mood and alertness.
One simple tip I share with patients is the “20 Rule”: For every 20 minutes spent sitting, stand up and move around for at least 20 seconds. March in place, shake out your
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arms, or stretch. These micro-movements help counter the effects of prolonged sitting and remind your body itʼs built for motion. Movement truly is medicine — and it doesnʼt need to be intense to make a difference.
Ergonomics matter, too. If your screen is below eye level, youʼre reinforcing a forward head posture that can strain your spine. Raise your monitor so the top third is at eye level. Sit with your feet flat, knees level with your hips, and use lumbar support. And if you're reading this on your phone — lift it to eye level and give your neck a break. Small changes like these can help reduce daily strain.
You can also support healthy posture with simple exercises: Gently tilt your head toward the ceiling to
counteract “tech neck.” Roll your shoulders back ten times to open your chest. Resistance band exercises or swimming — especially backstroke — can strengthen postural muscles and improve balance and body awareness.
If youʼre feeling stuck in a cycle of low energy or mental fatigue, a deeper look into your brain function might help. At our New York and New Jersey offices, we offer qEEG brain mapping — a noninvasive, radiation-free way to assess brain activity. Think of it as a GPS for your brain waves. This mapping normally costs $600, but for a limited time, we're offering it for just $21 if you mention
this article. It takes about 30 minutes and could provide valuable insights into how your brain is functioning. To schedule your qEEG test, call 201-261-2150 or email info@kaplanbrainandbody.com. Space is limited to ensure quality care and personal attention for each patient.
Ultimately, improving your posture isnʼt just about standing tall — itʼs about reclaiming vitality. Itʼs about breathing deeper, moving more, and reconnecting with the body you live in every day. So straighten up, breathe in, and take that first step. Your body — and your brain — will thank you.
DR. ERIC KAPLAN, KAPLAN BRAIN & BODY
RAISING KIDS TO ROCK STRONG MONEY SMARTS
Parents have a responsibility to teach their children about f inances—and thatʼs true for wealthy famil ies and less affluent families alike.
Kids are smart enough to pick up on signals that their family may have more than others. But if the conversation stops at the benefits that money can bring, youʼre missing out on important life lessons. Theyʼre not really being taught how to be financially responsible once they leave the house and become independent. What steps can parents take to teach both sensitivity and responsibility about money?
S tep 1: Find teachable moments. It can be difficult to find time to sit down and talk specifically about wealth, but natural opportunities to teach pop up every day.
For example, you can incorporate financial responsibility into an impromptu math lesson about money: If you find something that originally cost $100 and itʼs on sale for 30% off, you can ask kids how much the new price is—and, now that they are only spending $70, what they might do with the $30 thatʼs left.
Step 2: Take a lifelong view toward financial literacy Every child, and especially those who will one day inherit substantial wealth, should have a tool kit of
basic financial literacy skills by 18, including concepts such as how to spend, how to save, how to give, and the value of a dollar.
This can start very early with an exercise as simple as a three piggy banks analogy. You encourage the child to divide any money heor she receives into three piggy banks: spending, saving, and community/charity. This shows the concept of different types or purposes of money as opposed to all being for spending. Repeating this exercise can help ingrain the habit of saving regularly.
By late childhood or adolescence, parents can add concepts such as what it means to invest, what companies one might invest in, and how you assess risk with an investment.
You can encourage children in high school to think about college expenses logically by examining the costs and coming up with a credible college budget. Ask them to consider basic questions: What will you need in order to make this happen? What will the family need to supply, and what is the student expected to supply, in terms of tuition, books, room and board, transportation, and normal spending money?
And parents and grandparents can continue to encourage responsible, long-term financial responsibility by giving young adults an incentive to begin saving for retirement early. If youʼre able, and they have earned income, offer to match what they save into a Roth IRA. Itʼs also
wise to coax contributions to a 401(k) at work.
Step 3: Show your kids how itʼs done. Your childʼs healthy relationship with money begins with an open and honest relationship within a family that models good money behavior. These discussions can be challenging, but the fruit is well worth the labor.
Stress education and expect them to do well in school. The parents who do really well in teaching financial literacy typically lead by example—they tend to be savers, and theyʼre more care-
ful with spending money. Remember to be that example.. Wells Fargo Advisors does not provide legal or tax advice. Be sure to consult with your tax and legal advisors before taking any action that could have tax consequences. Any estate plan should be reviewed by an attorney who specializes in estate planning and is licensed to practice law in your state. This article was written for Wells Fargo Advisors and provided courtesy of Eric Kohlmeier, Senior Financial Advisor, Managi ng Director–Investments in Park Ridge at (201) 505-0472. Investments in securities and insurance products are not FDIC-insured/not bank-guaranteed and may lose value.
Wells Fargo Advisors is a trade name used by Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC, Member SIPC, a registered brokerdealer and non-bank affiliate of Wells Fargo & Company. © 2017–2019 Wells Fargo Clearing Services, LLC. All rights reserved.
ERIC KOHLMEIER
