29 going on 30: My journey, my life, living the United Way

My first lesson with money 

by Pete Grignon, Chief Financial Officer, CPA

“Son, we are going to the bank today to deposit the money you earned. We will watch it grow together.”  ~ Edward Napoleon “Nap” Grignon 1960.  

At four years old, I had no idea what that meant.  Back in those days, you received a small passbook from the bank that recorded your deposits and interest earned. The first time I saw that additional interest recorded in that little blue multi page book, I got what my dad meant and was hooked on saving.  I didn’t realize later in life I would be working with United Way of Pierce County with one of our focus areas on coaching people how to earn money, keep it and grow it.

Over the next few months, I'm going to share with you the things I've learned in almost 30 years as the CFO at United Way of Pierce County and the things I learned growing up. Lessons that have played a bigger role in my life then I even thought possible. And lessons that, I hope, will help others as they work toward their own financial self-sufficiency.