Teaching Basic Financial Concepts to High Schoolers
The Chavez Family Foundation is dedicated to equipping the next generation with the financial knowledge and skills needed to achieve lifelong security and independence. We believe that by providing clear, actionable guidance at a critical time in their lives, we can empower young adults to make wise financial decisions and avoid common pitfalls. Our two cornerstone programs, the book Start Strong, Finish Wealthy and the interactive game The Magic of Compound Interest, are designed to work together to transform financial literacy from a daunting subject into an engaging and accessible journey. Start Strong, Finish Wealthy is a straightforward guide to achieving financial freedom, written to be relatable and impactful for young adults. The book demystifies core financial principles, teaching readers how to live below their means, navigate debt wisely, and harness the incredible power of compound interest. It is not a guide to complex stock market wizardry or a "get rich quick" scheme; instead, it provides a practical, 10-step blueprint based on the author's own journey to financial independence in his early forties.
The purpose of the book is to give young readers a clear path to building a secure financial future and achieving a level of freedom that most people only dream of.
To complement the lessons in the book, we are in the process of developing The Magic of Compound Interest, an interactive and fun game for middle and high school students. This multi-player game simulates a 25-year financial journey, allowing students to make real-world decisions about their careers, lifestyles, and investments in a risk-free environment. Players choose a career and lifestyle, then navigate each five-year phase by allocating savings, paying down debt, and investing. Key game mechanics, like the "Market Returns Wheel" and "Surprise Cards," introduce elements of market volatility and unexpected life events, making the experience dynamic and realistic. The game's primary goal is to visually demonstrate how consistent, smart financial choices can lead to exponential wealth growth over time.
By combining the educational blueprint of Start Strong, Finish Wealthy with the hands-on, engaging experience of The Magic of Compound Interest, we aim to create a comprehensive learning program. Our goal is to not only teach students the theory of financial literacy but also to allow them to practice these principles in a way that is both memorable and motivating. These two programs are designed to show the habits young people need to build a life where they, not their circumstances, are in control.
We are excited about the potential of these programs to make a lasting impact on students in our area. We believe that when students are empowered with this type of knowledge early on, it can change their life trajectories, leading to greater stability, opportunity, and personal fulfillment. We are actively seeking partnerships with local schools and organizations to bring these resources to as many students as possible.