The Impact of Financial Literacy Education on Subsequent Financial Behavior

Despite the importance of finance, accounting, and consumer intelligence, these topics are typically neglected in high schools. Unfortunately, personal finance is often learned by trial and error. The problem with this method of learning is that it only takes one costly financial mishap to set you back for years. This is why I created a basic personal finance book for total beginners. With these concepts you can use the other books in the Smart Money series to further build your knowledge of personal finance topics.

The context of the lesson is three fold: First, to enhance literacy and utilize digital tools to research, communicate, produce and present. Developing these skills will be of immediate use, as these students have at least two more years in an academic setting. Secondly, they will be acquiring life skills as they define and internalize the concepts of budgeting and personal finance. Thirdly, in the broadest context, they will be able to apply this knowledge when they go forth into the job market and begin making short and long term investments. This lesson is appropriate and timely for these students as they will soon be leaving high school and embarking on various life and career paths. It is of critical importance that they understand how credit works and how to be fiscally responsible early on, so that they can avoid making bad decisions that have long-term and life altering ramifications. This demonstrates my commitment to their lifelong ability to learn and use information

So often we hear about teaching the whole child. Today, more than ever, personal finance knowledge and awareness are a critical part of what it means to teach the whole child.

A Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) study found that 76% of Americans believe they hold a “high” amount of financial knowledge, yet when given a basic

This personal finance paper will concentrate on the insufficient amount of guidance that is available concerning student loans. The purpose of this paper is to illustrate how prospective and current college students are ill prepared in their education and understanding of student loans. Three major issues that will be outlined in this paper include the large majority of college students are no longer able to pay for college out of pocket due to the rising costs, the effect that national debt has on students degrees, and finally the lack of early financial education to make crucial decisions. Strategic recommendations these issues include for students to

Future initiatives with financial education can change the landscape of an individual’s life and the economy in which we live. If there is limited focus on learning about personal finances we continue to set our economy up for constant failure. There is a substantial amounts of education provided to school age children that does not directly impact their financial education for their future. In high school individuals learn

The Federal Reserve statistics indicate that the average U.S. household has a credit card balance of $7,283 while the average indebted household has an outstanding balance of $15,611 (Bricker, et al., 2014). Only home mortgages and student loans exceed credit card balances. If consumers hope to create an appropriate level of wealth to support themselves in the latter years of life and avoid counting on government programs as their primary source of income, consumers will need to save more of their income. Servicing credit card debt required approximately 13.9% of consumer’s disposable income in the fourth quarter of 2008 (Wilcox, Block, & Eisenstein, 2011). If these dollars were available as contributions into a retirement account on behalf of the consumer, countless people would be confident about their ability to save for an appropriate lifestyle in retirement. The abuse of credit card usage may be caused by a lack of spending discipline, lack of information or a lack of financial literacy, or a combination of the three. These shortfalls are examined to determine if policy makers can intervene to motivate consumers to generate improved decisions regarding the use of credit cards. The first step in this process is having a basic understanding or knowledge of financial matters. The need for improving financial literacy in America continues to grow as financial products and services continue to become evolve in complexity. The Great Recession has recently proved that financial literacy in this country has room for improvement at all economic levels. The CARD Act required The Secretary of Education and the Director of the Office of Financial Education of the Department of the Treasury to coordinate with the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Literacy to develop a strategic plan to improve, expand and support financial

It is no secret that the financial system in The United States of America is incredibly complex and difficult to fully understand. As more and more people go into debt each year, it becomes clear that every American needs some help when it comes to financial literacy. However, the implementation of a financial literacy course is not a good solution. A course in financial literacy would end up being a waste of time and money because the class would cost the school board a large sum of money that it already does not have, and the students would not actually acquire much benefit from the class. Schools are getting less funding from the government every year and most school budget are pushed to their max.

Investing was not the only vehicle used to accumulate wealth. Saving your money effectively is one of the strongest vehicle for wealth. It is not how much money you make it is how you manage it that counts. The best rule of thumb to use the 5% percent rule. This is where you save 5% of your check before you even spend it on bills. So if your check is $100 you save $5, then you will pay your bills. The reasoning behind is that percentage you are saving is going towards you and not anything else for your personal gain. From 5% you will work your way up to as high as you want as long as you can also pay your bills. Financial literacy is a problem in this country which is affecting the nation negatively. If we knew how to use our money properly

Many believe that financial literacy classes are helpful and a good tool for you in the future. Finance is a waste of time and the classes do not help you in any case. The material taught in these classes are not used in everyday life and the methods used in the class are not helpful in any way.

She presents numerous financial problems that people have asked her and includes great solutions; however, the problems she addresses are sometimes too abundant and specific for young adults to truly take her advice to heart. A problem that Orman included in the book that was too specific was from someone who was trying to balance paying off debt and saving for retirement: “I have credit card debt that I am paying 18 percent interest on. I wonder if I should borrow money from my 401(k) to pay off that debt” (Orman 198). While Orman tries to prepare readers for any financial roadblock, it is hard for readers to recall details of her advice when she is very precise. Additionally, Orman writes as if she is convinced that her advice will result in certain success as the examples she uses of her pupils end with financial satisfaction. She does not make any concessions to her recommendations nor speaks of any negative outcomes that her followers faced when they listen to her advice therefore making it seem less

The author’s development of explaining the theory and validity of the research had minimum thorough explanation. The results were provided through quantitative means instead of qualitative. This is not an issue; however, this could have been studied

| Responses demonstrate excellent understanding of the topic in terms of all relevant financial concepts and theories

This statement is rather shocking but proves why high school students should be taught financial literacy. Financial literacy is the ability of learning how to manage money. Financial literacy should be taught because, more people have been going bankrupt at a younger age, they have more debt options, and lastly are unable to manage money because they have never been taught. This is not just a problem for an individual, but potentially a huge problem in this country’s future.

For most of us living in the 21st century, we have spent the majority of our childhood in a classroom. People usually have the same overall educational experience in the way of having teachers, homework, tests and spending hours studying. We could agree that the method of our education has also been the same; listening, note taking, memorizing, and hoping to God that we did not just bomb our most recent test. What if someone told us in high school that this grueling and boring process was all wrong? Well, this is exactly what, Paulo Freire, a Brazilian educator and philosopher, proposes in his essay, “The Banking Concept of Education.” Freire argues “banking education” stunts and discourages critical thinking and creativity. I would disagree with his position on “banking education” and maintain that it has endless advantages. There are many holes in his arguments and the solution he provides is vague and without proof or examples. While some portions of Freire’s argument deserve merit, I contend that his problems with the banking system are exaggerated and false. I would argue that not only is the banking system effective, but it also promotes the benefits that Freire claims it discourages.