CNBC's Your Money College Tour brings finance experts to campus

On Feb. 25, the auditorium of the Frank Porter Graham Student Union was filled with the sound of students networking with the business news channel CNBC's staff. While many organizations attended the event, most conversation was centered around money.

The discussion surrounding personal finance was the key aspect of the Your Money College Tour, where financial analysts, correspondents and therapists spoke with UNC students about managing their finances. 

The event began in the Student Union's auditorium, with students hearing from speakers including former NFL athlete Brandon Copeland, millionaire and founder of ModernBlkGirl Tiffany James and financial therapist Steven M. Hughes.

The opportunity was tailored specifically to students, with lessons on topics such as budgeting and investing. Some speakers also reminisced about their time in college, along with their own financial mistakes.

“I had two repossessions because one wasn’t enough, of course,” Hughes said during his panel. “I got evicted. My credit score was at 385.” 

Despite his hardships, Hughes’ message was one of hope for struggling students, with him saying that even the seemingly worst mistakes as a young adult can be overcome with the right approach. 

Following the panel, students were ushered into the Great Hall to an activities fair focused on strengthening financial literacy. Finance calculators and networking were incorporated in between free merchandise and lunch, headshot booths and a wind machine filled with prop dollar bills for students to grab.

“I think it all just ties into savings,” first-year Jacqueline Manilla said when talking about her personal finance struggles. “I think that's something that I really struggle with, and I'm trying to get better. But, for example, this really helped me gain more insight on it.”

Intuit for Education, a program providing online personal finance education, sponsored the event. The company had tables throughout the hall, engaging students in merchandise giveaways and conversations about financial literacy.

In interviews with The Daily Tar Heel, some of the panelists discussed their biggest financial tips, saying they would share them with their college selves if possible.

Hughes said that his most valuable tip for young adults is to make their savings difficult to access, so college students don’t waste their hard-earned money on unnecessary purchases.

“I would put it in a federal credit union, and I would not have any ATM card, any bank card,” Hughes said.

Building off Hughes’ advice, CNBC Senior Personal Finance Correspondent Sharon Epperson said she encourages students to be risk-takers and learn to understand the stock market.

“ I wouldn't wait and put it in a 401k and take it out at retirement,” Epperson said. “I would find out how to make that passive income for myself right now.”

While other speakers discussed financial strategies they wished they had employed in their youth, Tyler Mathisen, CNBC anchor and vice president of events strategy, shared advice centered around a healthy financial mindset and reducing anxiety about money.

Mathisen said he encourages students to invest in themselves before turning their attention to other financial endeavors.

“The investment you make in yourself is the one kind of investment, maybe the only kind of investment, where you can directly affect the outcome through your effort,” he said. “So take the risk, take the gamble and bet on yourself.”

UNC student CJ Kelleigh contributed reporting.

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@dailytarheel | university@dailytarheel.com

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