Author: Vince Shorb Added: May 12, 2008
Can you imagine a scenario where your students reach their mid-thirties and the majority of them are buried in student debt? This is a reality for many young adults today. This scenario can be avoided just by adding a practical financial literacy curriculum to your instruction. By doing so you will have provided your students the tools necessary to create a brighter future. Most high school teachers understand the importance of providing a practical financial literacy curriculum for their students. Unfortunately, many teachers lack the time and money to teach this vital life skill. The need for students to be financially prepared is of significant importance before they step on a college campus or move out on their own. So that your students are prepared for the financial real world, implement the simple tips below. It will help your students avoid financial pitfalls and succeed financially. 1. Relate money to lifestyle. Most young adults are not motivated by having a large bank account. It's what money provides them that gives them the encouragement to learn money management skills. It's the experiences they want to have, places they want to travel, the people they want to help and getting the toys they dream about that motivate them to learn about money. Locate financial literacy curriculum that will help your students relate money to their personal life. You will find the majority of students do want to receive financial literacy training and they pay close attention to financial literacy instruction when the message matches their personal goals. 2. Develop a savings plan. Give your students a head start by helping them develop a savings plan (aka budget). As a part of your financial literacy curriculum, have them manage their own finances to create a working budget. For teenagers living at home, encourage them to set aside fourty percent for long-term savings. This not only will get them started building a nest egg but will help them develop a good savings habit. An essential element to include in your financial literacy training is to help them understand the difference between a 'need' and a 'want'. Wanting a $5 dollar cup of coffee everyday adds up to over $1800 per year. This essential financial education training lesson will help to counteract the years of 'buy, buy, buy' advertisements they are exposed to. 3. Open Accounts. Have your students participate in a real world financial education activities that will ensure their secure future. Suggest that your students go with their parents to open their savings and checking account. This is a great way to help the parents be more active in the students schooling. 4. Invest early and consistently. When teaching a practical financial literacy curriculum one of the most important math lessons you can teach is the power of 'compounding interest'. This allows your students to make money off the initial investment plus all the money the money that the investment already retuned. In your financial literacy curriculum, show them how fast a small investment can add up. Just an $83 investment made each month could mean over a million dollars in their account when they are in their fifties. Providing your students these practical financial lessons will give them an advantage that most people won't have. Financial education is an important part of your student's future success. With a practical financial literacy curriculum they will avoid the most common financial mistakes, be able to enjoy life more and will be well on their way to securing their financial future.
--- Help your students get on the right path to their financial future by receiving free financial education curriculum tips and training at http://www.NYFEC.org now. The National Youth Financial Educators Council is an organization dedicated to increasing youth financial literacy.
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