HARRISONBURG, Va. (WHSV) – Julio Ayamel has a close knit group of friends from high school he keeps in touch with.
However, keeping in touch goes beyond the occasional text message or phone call. Ayamel and his high school classmates started a book club. The James Madison linebacker admits he hated reading growing but says the book club is a way to keep in contact with his friends and learn new things.
As the book club has taken shape, Ayamel started to think about his legacy and making an impact. Soon after, the same person who used to hate reading has now written a book.
The book, ‘The Things I Wish I Knew’ is a children’s book aimed at teaching children the basics of money. Ayamel says his friends introduced him to financial literacy and its importance. He’s now looking to pay it forward.
“They were talking about it like it’s so normal and for me it was, ‘What is this?’” Ayamel tells WHSV. “My parents never knew about it. They never taught me it. It’s common in minority communities and in my community as well. I want to be able to change that.”
Ayamel is hoping his book can make an impact in minority communities and teach children skills he didn’t have growing up.
“The purpose behind it is to start the conversation between parent and child,” says Ayamel. “Even though it’s on an elementary school reading level, it’s for anybody who lacks a basic understanding in financial literacy.”
Ayamel admits he’s always been interested in money. Growing up he had an entrepreneurial mind. Ayamel would rake neighbors leaves, mow lawns, and clean shoes as some of his many jobs growing up. That’s continued as a student athlete. Ayamel says he cuts hair and mounts televisions.
What does Ayamel do with his money? He doesn’t use it for materialistic things. He saves and invests.
“A lot of people don’t know what to do with their money. Growing up, all I knew was save,” says Ayamel.
Ayamel says writing the book has opened a dialogue with his friends and teammates about the importance of saving an investing money.
“As I’m learning, I want to bring people up with me and we can learn together,” says Ayamel.