Taboo topic of money addressed by finance meet-up group | Local News
MANKATO — It’s often regarded as a taboo topic. Money, that is.
But those involved with Benjamins After Dark Southern Minnesota bring the subject of finances to the forefront during monthly meetings held near Minnesota State University. Benjamins references $100 Benjamin Franklin bills.
“People want a comfortable place where they can ask honest money questions, hear how others are approaching similar decisions and leave with an idea they can use,” Tim Huebsch, one of the creators and coordinators of the local group, stated in a release.
“This is neighbors and students learning from one another. Nobody is there to sell anything.”
A special edition of Benjamins After Dark Southern Minnesota is being held from 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 2, at Maverick Innovation Gateway, which is next door to the MSU campus. This go-round will feature nationally recognized author, speaker and podcast host Joe Saul-Sehy.
Saul-Sehy is the co-host of Stacking Benjamins, the award-winning personal finance podcast recognized by both Kiplinger and Bankrate.com as one of the best in personal finance. Fast Company called the show “the perfect blend of education and entertainment,” and its guests have included David Bach, Mel Robbins, Suze Orman, Ramit Sethi and Clark Howard.
Saul-Sehy’s evening MSU appearance on Sept. 2 will bring together students and area residents around “a shared goal of making better, more confident financial decisions,” the release said.
Benjamins After Dark got its start in Minneapolis, and Mankato’s chapter was launched in January during an expansion that also brought groups to Boston and Seattle. A group now also meets in Tucson and organizers are working to launch groups in Washington, D.C., San Francisco and Houston, which those involved say reflect a growing interest in “accessible, judgement-free community conversations about money,” according to the release.
Some of the best money lessons come not from an expert at the front of a room but from a neighbor who is willing to share their own story, Saul-Sehy stated in the release.
“There’s power in discovering that other people have many of the same fears, questions and dreams you do,” he said. “Benjamins After Dark gives those conversations a place to happen.”
Huebsch said the southern Minnesota chapter typically draws a few dozen attendees at its monthly meetings. Those involved range in age from high schoolers to retirees.
He hopes to see as many as 50 people at the Sept. 2 event. It’s free and open to the public.
“I think in many ways it’s taboo to talk about finances and this is a safe place where you can ask those questions,” he said. “You can even be confident someone else in the room has the same question. It’s all around, how do we learn from each other? I walk away every meeting learning a new tidbit or two and finding that someone else has a really interesting way of thinking about it.”
Michael Lawrence is an MSU senior majoring in finance who sees value in the group.
“We’re all going to grow up and not be in college anymore,” Lawrence said. “It’s good to see how people manage their money outside of college. It’s super important for people to know the basics. I wasn’t taught that in high school or throughout my life. It’s a great way for people to come and ask questions and learn about money.”
In addition to the evening gathering, there will be a 9:30 a.m. Sept. 2 event at Maverick Innovation Gateway with Saul-Sehy speaking primarily to MSU students. Organizers expect roughly 40 students, most of whom are from the College of Business, said Lisa Haman, director of Maverick Innovation Gateway. This event is also free and open to the public.
“It’s unique,” she said. “We will have students collaborating with other community members and business owners. There could also be retirees. The beauty is seeing young people hearing stories and experiences from business owners and retirees. They’re talking about finances and money and saving and that is an eye opener for a student to hear. That is a unique situation.”
Though Benjamins After Hours Southern Minnesota has its special meeting Sept. 2, it typically meets on the fourth Wednesday of the month. Its next regular meeting is 6:30-8 p.m. Sept. 23 at Maverick Innovation Gateway, 230 Stadium Road.
