Courses

PERSONAL FINANCE

Taught by Laura Morefield
ages 14-18

Full Year - 32 week Course
Tuesday 7-8 p.m. ET

Course Overview:

Give your teen the skills and confidence to navigate life’s financial challenges with our year-long Personal Finance course. Designed for students in grades 9-12, this engaging course empowers teens to make informed decisions by applying real-world financial principles through entertaining, immersive fictional scenarios that prepare them for life as financially literate adults.

Course Description:

In this comprehensive course, teens will gain the essential life skills needed to navigate the financial complexities of adulthood through a series of interactive exercises where students will simulate real-life scenarios. The course also covers the foundational aspects of savings, credit, loans, and contracts, which will help them make informed financial decisions. Teens will develop practical job search skills while managing their paychecks effectively. As they progress, students will explore investing types and the importance of planning for retirement. Students will also learn about insurance and budgeting for extraordinary expenditures. By the end of the course, students will be equipped with the tools and knowledge to make confident financial decisions and navigate the challenges of adult life.

Schedule and Cost:

Day: Tuesday

Time:  7:00 – 8:00 p.m. ET

Course Dates (click to download pdf)

For Tuition Fees, Code of Conduct, and all the details, see THE FINE PRINT

What your Teen will Learn:

Throughout the course, students will craft a fictional life where they apply for jobs, obtain housing and navigate important life decisions like budgeting for unexpected expenses, securing transportation, and managing their financial portfolio. They’ll become familiar with all kinds of contracts, such as rental and roommate agreements, and explore the financial implications of major life decisions. The students will learn to navigate simulated financial obstacles designed by the instructor to prepare students for the surprises that adult life can bring.

  • Spending & Saving:  Teens will create a personalized budget, manage monthly expenses, and learn to save for short- and long-term goals, including the establishment of an emergency fund to handle life’s unexpected costs.
  • Credit, Loans & Contracts:   From understanding credit cards and loans to navigating rental agreements and car purchases, students will develop a solid foundation for managing debt.
  • Resume Building & Job Search:   Teens will create a resume, learn how and where to apply for jobs, and learn how to manage a paycheck effectively. Using actual online listings, students will simulate applying for jobs and apartments, and shop for transportation.
  • Investing & Retirement:   In the latter part of the course, students will dive into the basics of investing, including types of investments, risk management, and how to plan for retirement. They will build and track a fictional investment portfolio, while learning the basics of investments, risk, and diversification.
  • Understanding essential insurance options (car, home, life & health) and how to budget for extraordinary expenditures.

Why this Course is Important:

Teens will leave this course equipped with the knowledge and experience to confidently navigate their financial future – from responsibly handling a paycheck to understanding how to manage and grow their money. Students will practice applying financial concepts to scenarios they’ll encounter in their real lives. The fictional life they build prepares them to make smart, informed financial decisions as independent adults.

Class Structure and Homework:

  • Student & Parent Involvement:  The course meets live weekly for an hour, with 1-3 hours of homework each week. Parents are welcome to join the online Google Classroom as students to review assignments and support their teens. In each session, we discuss the next steps in the fictional life and guide students through their homework.
  • Supporting Different Learning Styles: Whether your teen is a visual, hands-on, or auditory learner, we work to accommodate their learning preferences. Parents are encouraged to share insights into their teen’s learning style, helping us tailor assignments to best suit their needs.

After registering for class, students and parents will be provided with a Google Classroom link to join. Class materials and assignments will be posted directly to Classroom, and students may communicate with each other through this platform. Students may communicate with the instructor through Classroom and student inquiries are usually addressed as quickly as possible between 9AM and 9PM EST. Student inquiries made on the day of class may be addressed in class instead of through Classroom.

Course Materials:

  •  Free Interactive Building Your Future curriculum books, covering everything from budgeting to wealth accumulation. Available online in PDF format.
  • Additional resources, including podcasts, videos, and articles from trusted sites like The Penny Hoarder, and 20-Something Finance

Note to Parents: Upon request and where warranted by the student’s level of performance and academic achievement, the instructor may agree to provide a letter of recommendation to potential employers, colleges, etc. All requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and should be submitted with as much advance notice as possible.