Financial Literacy for Teens - Real Life Skills - Adulting 101 - Weekly Class

Embark on a comprehensive journey with our all-inclusive package! Dive into the world of finances, earning, saving, and investing while navigating through real-life adult scenarios in this engaging and interactive course.

Financial literacy, the cornerstone of this program, empowers individuals with the essential skills to manage and invest money effectively.

Throughout this weekly class, students will be immersed in practical money situations, mastering the intricacies of personal finance including saving, budgeting, bill payment, income generation, and investment strategies. In today's complex financial landscape, understanding both the opportunities and pitfalls is crucial. Our curriculum addresses this by equipping students with the tools to navigate financial systems, avoid scams, and make informed spending decisions.

Through hands-on activities, students will simulate real-world financial scenarios, managing virtual checking, savings, and credit card accounts, practicing timely bill payment, and making wise spending choices. Reflecting on my own experience and that of many adults, I recognize the gap in financial education provided in traditional schooling. This program aims to bridge that gap, empowering students with the knowledge and skills they need for financial success.

I am thrilled to introduce this transformative and interactive tool into our classroom, paving the way for a brighter, financially literate future for all our students. Let's embark on this journey together and unlock the doors to financial empowerment!"

We will begin each lesson with an introduction to the weekly topic, have a classroom discussion and then work within the simulation program. 

C L A S S   S C H E D U L E

FINANCIAL LITERACY UNITS
Unit 1:   Unit Introduction - Budgeting, Saving, and Spending
Unit 2:  Introduction to Investing
Unit 3:  Credit Cards and Debt
Unit 4:  Employment and Income
Unit 5:  Financial Risks and Insurance
Supplement Topic:  Starting your Own Business
Supplement Topic:  Bankruptcy 

C L A S S  S T R U C T U R E
Welcome to Class (5 minutes)
Weekly Financial Report (5 minutes)
Weekly Class Topic (20minutes)
Financial Lab Simulation (15 minutes)


🌟S T A R T I N G     S E P T E M B E R  2 0 2 4🌟

🚩 2024 - 2025  F U L L  Y E A R  C O U R S E  T O P I C S   S C H E D U L E 🚩
Topics rotate but students may join at anytime.

G E T T I N G   S T A R T E D (New enrolled students should complete these assignments in the simulation) 
Topic 1:  Introduction of Budget Simulation - Budget Game Actions
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Budget Game Overview
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Credit Score Tutorial
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Net Worth
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Quality of Life
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Savings Goals
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Your Weekend Choice
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Study
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Transfer Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Earn More Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Household
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Socialize
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Purchase
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Payment
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Complete a Full Month

Week of December 15: Budget Adjustments
Week of December 22: Tracking Expenses & Emergency Funds
Week of December 29: Financial Literacy Game Day

SCHEDULE STARTING - 2025 JANUARY

U N I T  2:  I N V E S T I N G
Week of January 5: Introduction to Investing and Understanding Financial Risks
Week of January 12: Financial Planning, Investment Goals, and Investing Overview
Week of January 19: How the Stock Market Works, Introduction to Stocks, and Understanding Stock Quotes
Week of January 26: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of February 2: Stock Market Terms, Stock Market Games, and Researching Stocks
Week of February 9: Company Research, Financial News, and Using Financial Reports
Week of February 16: Evaluating Investment Strategies, Types of Securities, and Mutual Funds
Week of February 23: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of March 1: Bonds, ETFs, and Real Estate Investments
Week of March 8: Managing a Portfolio, Diversification, and Risk Management
Week of March 15: Portfolio Review, Investment Tools, and Business Cycle
Week of March 22: Economic Indicators, Impact on Investments, and Market Trends
Week of March 29: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of April 6:   Review of the Stock Market and Current World Events
Week of April 13:  What is Short Selling
Week of April 20:  No Class Easter Sunday
Week of April 27:  Review of Economic Events of the Stock Market and Investments

UNIT 3:  CREDIT CARDS AND DEBT
Week of May 4 Introduction to Credit, Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards, and Credit Reports
Week of May 11: Credit Scores, Building Credit, and Buying a Car
Week of May 18:  No Class Mother's Day
Week of May 25: Car Loans, Loan Terms, and Comparing Car Prices

Week of June 1: Budgeting for a Car, Types of Loans, and Loan Application Process
Week of June 8: Interest Rates, Repayment Plans, and Loan Management
Week of June 15: Using Credit Cards, Credit Card Fees, and Credit Card Rewards

UNIT 4:  EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME
Week of June 22  Career Planning and Income Types
Week of June 29: Employment Rights and Job Opportunities
                               Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of July 1:  Earning Money and Using a Bank
Week of July 8: Opening a Savings Account and Understanding Bank Fees
Week of July 15: Bank Statements and Online Banking
Week of July 22: Introduction to Taxes and Income Tax
Week of July 29: Tax Deductions and Filing Taxes
                              Financial Literacy Game Day

UNIT 5: FINANCIAL RISKS AND INSURANCE
Week of August 5: Introduction to Insurance, Health Insurance, and Life Insurance
Week of August 12: Property Insurance, Insurance Terms, and Liability Insurance
Week of August 19: Auto Insurance, Homeowners Insurance, and Renters Insurance
Week of August 26: Financial Literacy Game Day
Week of September 2: Insurance Claims, Health Insurance Plans, and Life Insurance Policies

2025 - 2026 SCHOOL YEAR SCHEDULE

G E T T I N G   S T A R T E D (New enrolled students should complete these assignments in the simulation) 
Topic 1:  Introduction of Budget Simulation - Budget Game Actions
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Budget Game Overview
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Credit Score Tutorial
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Net Worth
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Quality of Life
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Savings Goals
📝Assignment: Watch Video - Your Weekend Choice
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Study
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Transfer Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Earn More Money
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Household
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Socialize
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Purchase
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Credit Card Payment
📝Assignment: Budget Game - Complete a Full Month

We will begin each lesson with an introduction to the weekly topic, have a classroom discussion and then work within the simulation program.  The schedule is flexible to support student learning. If any changes are needed, I will communicate updates to parents and students in advance.

C L A S S  S T R U C T U R E
Welcome to Class (5 minutes)
Weekly Financial Report (5 minutes)
Weekly Class Topic (20minutes)
Financial Lab Simulation (15 minutes)

COURSE  OUTLINE / SCHEDULE
UNIT 1:  BUDGETING, SAVING AND SPENDING (Weeks 1–8)
Week of September 07   🌟 Course Overview + Pre-Test + Intro to Budgeting
Week of September 14  🧠 Needs vs Wants + Jump$tart Reality Check + Budget Game
Week of September 21  💰 Understanding Money & Wealth + Compound Interest
Week of September 28  📊 Spending and Saving Plans + Pay Yourself First
Week of October 05  🎨 Create a Savings Comic Strip + Budget Game
Week of October 12  ⚡ Spending Shocks, Receipts, and Budgeting Apps
Week of October 19  📱 Smart Purchasing: Phone Plans & Budgeting for a Trip
Week of October 26 🏡 Long-Term Saving + Buying a Home

UNIT 3:  CREDIT CARDS AND DEBT (Weeks 9–15)
Week of November 02  💳 Intro to Credit: Credit Cards, Interest Rates, Credit Reports
Week of November 09  🔍 What Would You Do? (Scenarios) + Budget Game
Week of November 16 🚗 Buying a Car + Good vs Bad Debt + Loan Calculators
Week of November 23 – No Class (Thanksgiving Week)
Week of November 30  💼 Other Loans: Student Loans, Mortgages, Short-Term Financing
Week of December 07  🧾 Understanding Credit Card Statements + Predatory Lending
Week of December 14  💡 Managing Debt: Consolidation, Negotiation, Debt Myths
Week of December 21 – No Class (Winter Break)
Week of December 28 – No Class (Winter Break)
Week of January 04 ⚖️ Bankruptcy + Budget/Stock Game Midpoint Review

UNIT 2:  INTRODUCTION TO INVESTING (Weeks 16–22)
Week of January 11 📈 What is a Stock? Ticker Symbols + Stock Game Launch
Week of January 18  💸 Why Invest? + NYSE + Inflation + Team Portfolio Check-In
Week of January 25 📊 How to Read Stock Quotes + Find Trading Ideas
Week of February 01  🎯 Personal Investing Goals + Building a $100k Portfolio
Week of February 08 💼 ETFs, Mutual Funds, Bonds + Compare Companies
Week of February 15 🔄 Managing Your Portfolio: Diversification & Strategy
Week of February 22 📉 The Business Cycle + Portfolio Report + Budget Game

UNIT 4:  EMPLOYMENT AND INCOME (Weeks 23–28)
Week of March 01 💼 Career Development + Income Types + MyNextMove
Week of March 08 🏦 Banks, Credit Unions, Automatic Payments, Pay Stubs
Week of March 15 📄 Taxes: Tax Forms, Deductions, Sales Tax
Week of March 22  🧑‍💼 Job Search: Resume, Interviews, Internships
Week of March 29 – No Class (Spring Break)
Week of April 05 🏆 Building Wealth + Retirement Planning
Week of April 12 🤝 Responsible Income & Spending + Consumer Rights

UNIT 5: FINANCIAL RISK AND INSURANCE(Weeks 29–34)
Week of April 19 🛡️ Insurance Basics + Intro Video + Contracts + Risks
Week of April 26 🏠 Liability Insurance: Homeowners, Renters, Auto
Week of May 03 ❤️ Health & Life Insurance + Finish Investment Portfolios
Week of May 10 🧠 Decision Making & Fraud Protection
Week of May 17 📂 Managing Financial Records + Reconciliation
Week of May 24 🎓 Life After Graduation: Business, Wills, Post-Test
Week of May 31 & Week of June 7th
Supplement Topics (Weeks 35–38)
🚀 Starting Your Own Business: Entrepreneurship 101
⚠️ Bankruptcy Deep Dive + Course Wrap-Up Presentations


By the end of this course, students will feel more confident managing money, making smart financial decisions, and planning for their futures. Our goal is to build real-life skills in a supportive environment where every learner can succeed!

NOTE TO PARENTS:  This is an interactive classroom, with guidance from teacher.  Students will have the opportunity to interact, socialize while learning to becoming financial responsible with their choices.  

Notice: Educational Content Only

This course is crafted purely for learning purposes and is not a source of financial, investment, tax, or legal guidance. Through lessons and a stock market simulation program, the instructor aims to teach students about market dynamics, investment concepts, and economic theories. No advice is given on specific investments or financial actions.

Participation in the stock market simulation or any real-world trading with actual money is entirely the choice of students and their guardians. Success is not promised, and all financial activities carry inherent risks. Students are encouraged to investigate thoroughly and consult a certified financial advisor before pursuing any real investment opportunities.

By joining this course, you recognize that the instructor and course organizers are not accountable for any financial consequences arising from decisions you make based on the educational material or simulation experience.


Students will each start the simulation as a part-time employee, goiong to college full-time.  Then the students will have to pay bills, like adults do in real life. With your left over money, you can purchase experiences or items.  This class is highly interactive simulating real life as adults making financial decisions.  Students will learn they are free to choose what to with the money they earn but not free from the consequences of their choice, whether it is positive or negative result.


NOTE TO PARENTS:  This is an interactive classroom, with guidance from teacher.  Students will have the opportunity to interact, socialize while learning to becoming financial responsible with their choices.  
Additional Topics will be added.

Notice: Educational Content Only

This course is crafted purely for learning purposes and is not a source of financial, investment, tax, or legal guidance. Through lessons and a stock market simulation program, the instructor aims to teach students about market dynamics, investment concepts, and economic theories. No advice is given on specific investments or financial actions.

Participation in the stock market simulation or any real-world trading with actual money is entirely the choice of students and their guardians. Success is not promised, and all financial activities carry inherent risks. Students are encouraged to investigate thoroughly and consult a certified financial advisor before pursuing any real investment opportunities.

By joining this course, you recognize that the instructor and course organizers are not accountable for any financial consequences arising from decisions you make based on the educational material or simulation experience.