You don’t have a savings problem. You have a system problem. | Steve Short & Mark Schlipman | TEDxKC

Most of us eventually learn how to save money — but almost none of us learn how to teach it. In this talk, Mark Schlipman and Steve Short reveal why 85% of Americans over 45 wish they'd started saving sooner, and argue the real problem isn't knowledge, it's habit. Using a simple budgeting framework and the same logic you'd use to teach a kid to brush their teeth, they lay out a system parents, mentors, and employers can use to help the next generation build financial literacy and savings habits early — before they ever have the chance to fall behind.

Steve Short is a retired C-suite executive, strategic advisor, and co-author of the best-selling personal finance book The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom. He spent nearly 30 years at Enterprise Holdings, where he rose from Management Trainee to Vice President, ultimately leading a $3B+ division and helping drive more than $2B in growth through innovation, partnerships, and customer-focused strategy.

He later served as Chief Marketing Officer at Cordell & Cordell / Lexicon, where he led marketing and sales efforts across multiple brands and helped drive revenue growth and operational improvements during a period of significant change.

Today, Steve advises organizations on strategy, growth, and innovation, including emerging applications of AI in the travel industry. He is also focused on financial literacy, using his platform to help young adults and professionals develop simple, structured approaches to managing money.

Steve Short is a retired C-suite executive, strategic advisor. He spent nearly 30 years at Enterprise Holdings, where he rose from Management Trainee to Vice President, ultimately leading a $3B+ division and helping drive more than $2B in growth through innovation, partnerships, and customer-focused strategy.

Mark Schlipman is a Managing Partner and Wealth Advisor at Carson Wealth and the founder of Schlipman Wealth Advisors, a firm that built a trusted presence serving clients across Kansas, Missouri, and Illinois. Carson Wealth is part of the Carson Partners network, which supports more than 135 partner offices and over 350 advisors nationwide.

Mark and Steve are co-authors of the best-selling personal finance book The Simple Road Toward Financial Freedom, written to address the growing gap in financial literacy among young adults. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx