Hi there! My name is Colton and I have a passion for personal finance literacy. Public education has done a terrible job properly preparing young people for the financial realities of adult life. It's my mission to do something about that. This course is designed to help teenagers feel ready for adulthood. Finance has lots of confusing terminology, but it's my belief that there is a way to sort through all the jargon and learn the essentials. I've spent the last 6 years teaching a personal finance elective course at my local high school. I've also worked in the financial services industry for a couple years as an advisor. During that time I helped families get out of enormous debt, buy their first home, and make a defined plan for their retirement. My time in that industry taught me that financial education truly changes lives. I hope it does the same for you.

Topics that will be covered: creating and maintaining a budget, how to find a job, types of bank accounts, understanding the effects of compound interest, all about credit cards, strategies for paying off debt, all about mortgages, and understanding life insurance.

The class will be structured as 1 hour blocks where I facilitate an open conversation about each topic while also guiding the discussion and teaching learners about that day's topic. Learners are encouraged to ask questions, make reflections on their own experiences, and develop plans for their financial future. No previous experience or knowledge is required.

The course will also include a gamified budgeting simulation to help students understand the flow and cadence of building and managing a budget.

Here is a breakdown of what will be covered each week:

Week 1: How to Make and Maintain a Budget
Week 2: Gaining Employment and Preparing for University
Week 3: Compound interest and Credit Cards
Week 4: Debt Payment Strategies and Guidance on Student Loans
Week 5: How to Buy a Home and How Mortgages work
Week 6: Preparing for the Future: All About Life Insurance and Retirement