You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000 (2024)

You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000 (1)

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Teaching the next gen financial literacy

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Taking a financial education class in high school does pay off.

In fact, there is a lifetime benefit of roughly $100,000 per student from completing a one-semester course in personal finance, according to a recent report by consulting firm Tyton Partners and Next Gen Personal Finance, a nonprofitfocused on providing financial education to middle and high school students.

Much of that financial value comes from learning how to avoid high-interest credit card debt and leveraging better credit scores to secure preferential borrowing rates for key expenses, such as insurance, auto loans and home mortgages, according to Tim Ranzetta, co-founder and CEO of Next Gen.

But then there is the ripple effect, he added.

"Students bring these lessons home," Ranzetta said. "When you take that $100,000 in savings and multiply it across families and communities, it's an incredible economic engine."

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"I get to show students the value of having a savings and checking account and then they are able to share that with their parents," said Kerri Herrild, who has been teaching personal finance at De Pere High School in Wisconsin for 18 years, referring to what's known as the "trickle up effect."

"Getting this basic knowledge — that's powerful," she said.

You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000 (2)

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Making the grade in financial literacy: More states require students to take personal finance course

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Meanwhile, the trend toward in-school personal finance classes is gaining steam.

As of 2024, half of all states already require or are in the process of requiring high school students to take a personal finance course before graduating, according to the latest data fromNext Gen.

In addition, there are another 35 personal finance educationbills pending in 15 states, according to Next Gen'sbill tracker.

'The research is overwhelming'

Many studies show there is a strong connection between financial literacy and financial well-being.

"The research is overwhelming," Ranzetta said.

Students who are required to take personal finance courses starting from a young age aremore likely to tap lower-cost loans and grants when it comes to paying for collegeand less likely to rely on private loans or high-interest credit cards, according to a study by Christiana Stoddard and Carly Urban for the National Endowment for Financial Education.

Students are also even more likely to enroll in college when they areaware of thefinancial resources available to help them pay for it.

"Our results show that high school financial education graduation requirements can significantly impact key student financial behaviors," the authors said in the report.

Further, students with a financial literacy course under their belt havebetter average credit scores and lower debt delinquency ratesas young adults, according to data from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority's Investor Education Foundation, which seeks to promote financial education.

In addition, a report by theBrookings Institutionfound that teenage financial literacy is positively correlated with asset accumulation andnet worthby age 25.

I tell them this is going to be the most important class they are going to take in their life.

Christopher Jackson

personal finance teacher at DaVinci Communications School

"I start off my class by telling them that my No. 1 goal is to affect their children's children," said Christopher Jackson, who teaches personal finance to 12th graders at DaVinci Communications High School in Southern California.

"I tell them this is going to be the most important class they are going to take in their life," Jackson added.

As part of Jackson's course, students open Roth individual retirement accounts with an initial grant of $100, which many then maintain on their own.

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Among adults, those with greater financial literacy find it easier to make ends meet in a typical month, are more likely to make loan payments in full and on time and less likely to be constrained by debt or be considered financially fragile.

They are also more likely to save and plan for retirement, according to data from theTIAA Institute-GFLEC Personal Finance Indexbased on research over several years.

"The need is real, the effect is real, and it motivates me as a teacher," Jackson said.

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You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000 (2024)

FAQs

You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000? ›

You can put a price tag on the value of a personal finance education: $100,000. Many studies show that there is a strong connection between financial literacy and financial well-being.

What is the value of financial education? ›

A strong foundation of financial literacy can help support various life goals, such as saving for education or retirement, using debt responsibly, and running a business. Key aspects of financial literacy include knowing how to create a budget, plan for retirement, manage debt, and track personal spending.

What is the value of personal finance? ›

Personal finance is more than just a way to track your spending; it's a tool for securing your financial future. Understanding and managing your finances allows you to make smarter choices with your money, leading to greater financial stability and independence.

Is a personal finance class worth it? ›

They can get all of the information they need in a Personal Finance class, absorb it, and put it into practice to become individuals who are successful with money. All students in the United States deserve access and a guarantee to become financially literate through a Personal Finance course.

What are the benefits of financial literacy courses? ›

The research-backed benefits of financial education include having less debt, being able to manage household finances more skillfully, making well-informed investment decisions that will produce higher personal net worth, and a myriad of other habits that promote a happier life.

What is the true value of education? ›

That we remember, as Einstein said, that the true value of education “is not the learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think.”

What is the value of education? ›

Studies show that people with higher levels of education tend to make more money and even tend to be happier. This is because education teaches and refines skills to help you become the best you can be.

What is personal financial worth? ›

An individual's net worth is the value that's left after subtracting liabilities from assets. Liabilities include debts like mortgages, credit card balances, student loans, and car loans.

What is the #1 rule of personal finance? ›

#1 Don't Spend More Than You Make

When your bank balance is looking healthy after payday, it's easy to overspend and not be as careful. However, there are several issues at play that result in people relying on borrowing money, racking up debt and living way beyond their means.

What are the 5 basics of personal finance? ›

There's plenty to learn about personal financial topics, but breaking them down can help simplify things. To start expanding your financial literacy, consider these five areas: budgeting, building and improving credit, saving, borrowing and repaying debt, and investing.

Are finance classes harder than accounting? ›

Is finance harder than accounting? Accounting relies on precise arithmetic principles, making it more complex, whereas finance requires a grasp of economics and accounting without as much mathematical detail.

Why is personal finance so difficult? ›

The problem: So many options overwhelm and overcomplicate personal financial plans. Many of us want to improve our finances, but that's much easier said than done. The truth is, it's hard to make sense of all the tools, options, and information at our disposal. If you're feeling this same stress, you're not alone.

Why isn't personal finance taught in school? ›

We don't have enough instructors to teach finance classes (see reason #1) Personal finance isn't part of the ACT or SAT – if it's not tested it's not taught. Education is up to the states, not the feds, and each state has different ideas. There isn't much agreement as to which finance concepts would be taught.

What is a famous quote about financial literacy? ›

Harv Eker. “The number one problem in today's generation and economy is the lack of financial literacy.”

Is financial literacy good or bad? ›

Financial literacy is important because it supports financial well-being, or a confidence in your ability to manage your money well. Everyone experiences financial ups and downs, but financially literate people may be more likely to: Manage money with a budget. Save more money for the future.

What are the disadvantages of financial literacy? ›

The study found that financial literacy decreases preference for the present, suggesting a positive effect on decision-making and saving behavior. The negative effects of financial literacy include taking too many risks, overborrowing, and holding naive financial attitudes.

Why is education important financially? ›

Increased earning potential

According to the Public Policy Institute of California, “California workers with a bachelor's degree earn a median annual wage of $81,000.” In contrast, only 12% of workers with a high school diploma earn that much.

What is the financial education for? ›

Financial literacy is a a set of awareness, knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours that enable individuals to make informed and smart financial decisions. Together with improved financial access and adequate consumer protection, it is part of a holistic approach to support financial resilience and well-being.

What is the value of financial advice study? ›

Research from Morningstar found that “households working with a financial advisor made the best overall financial decisions” — that is, they had good saving habits, appropriate portfolio risk, and less chance of having revolving credit debt; they also had life insurance and emergency savings.

What is value in financial literacy? ›

Value is the monetary, material, or assessed worth of an asset, good, or service. "Value" is attached to a myriad of concepts including shareholder value, the value of a firm, fair value, and market value. The process of calculating and assigning a value to a company or an asset is called valuation.

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