Financial Literacy for Kids

Warren Buffett bought his first share of stock at 11 yrs old.  It is NEVER to early to learn about Finance. Financial Literacy is a skill that is imperative for success in life but is also seldom taught.  This class will review 4 basic financial topics (the Stock Market, the Time Value of Money, Credit Cards & Credit Scores and Banking).  Each week, students will receive a handouts based on the current weeks topic.  There will also be homework each week to help drive home the points learned in class. 

This class is perfect for those interested in the stock market and investing (our first assignment will be a stock market challenge) or any young ones who want to learn how to build wealth.

The first week, we will create a mock stock portfolio to simulate real-time investing based on current stock prices and we will see which portfolio outperformed the rest, and why, in our last class.  Each week, students will have an assignment to enforce the current weeks lesson.  No background knowledge about finance is needed to join.

Topics by Week:

Week 1: Stock Market
-The 3 stock market indeces
-How to start an investment account for a minor
-What to look for when choosing stock
-Students will be given a Mock Brokerage Account where they will need to pick stocks for their portfolio based on what was learned in class.

Week 2: Time Value of Money (TVM)
-Students will explore the TVM concept and will see how to apply this concept to real life situations like investing and making loan payment.
-We will learn how to calculate how much an investment/sum of money is worth in the future
-We will see first hand the benefits of investing money NOW, rather than later

Week 3: Credit Cards and Credit Scores
-We will explore such questions as: Is debt bad?  Will I need a credit card? What is a credit score?
-We will review what to look for when choosing a credit card
-How to be responsible with a credit card at any age
-How is a credit card different from a debit card
-How your credit score is calculated

Week 4: Banking
-We will explore the difference between a Banks and a Credit Unions / Brick & Mortar vs Virtual
-Checking vs Savings accounts
-Certificate of Deposits (CD)
-2008 U.S. Financial Crisis
-Review the Mock Brokerage Accounts and see how the students investments did and examine factors that affected the gain/loss as well as investment strategies

This class is a great way to introduce yourself to the great big, and sometimes confusing, world of finance and begin the path to be a financially independent adult.

*Class duration is approximate - Class Participation is highly encouraged :-)*