How Being a Girl Scout Gives Her Lifelong Money Smarts
Girl Scouts are many things, but above all, they’re capable of doing anything they set their minds to. Why? Because the experiences of scouting teach vital life skills that set girls up for success in school, athletics, their social circles, and even in their future careers. One thing that all Girl Scouts gain, specifically from the Girl Scout Cookie Program, are solid money smarts that will last her a lifetime.
Learning by doing gives girls a sense of accomplishment and pride in their abilities. Little Women author Louisa May Alcott famously said, “I am not afraid of storms for I am learning how to sail my ship.” Likewise, a current Girl Scout—yours even!—might say, “I am not afraid of building a career/negotiating salaries/balancing a budget someday, for I’m already running an awesome cookie business!” (Cue mic drop…)
So, what specifically are girls learning by selling the most delicious treats in town? Let’s break it down and show how your littlest entrepreneur is building her financial literacy, box by box.
- By creating a plan of how to spend the money she’s earning for her troop, she’s learning how to save, when to spend, and the importance of giving back. This will serve her well in every step of her life: from the days she starts handling an allowance, to her first paycheck, and all the way up to overseeing the budget of her own firm or company!
- When she and her troop members think about and decide on how many boxes they want to sell by what date, she’s learning how to set and reach realistic goals, which will help her manage her own money for years to come.
- Working hard for each individual sale helps teach her that every dollar counts and that to earn money you almost always have to spend in terms of non-tangibles like time, energy, and thought!
Being a Girl Scout isn’t just fun—it opens doors for girls to have their biggest, brightest dreams come true. Encourage her cookie business, but above all, let her lead. The financial literacy and confidence in money matters she’ll gain in the process will last her a lifetime.
