Financial Foundations introduces key financial topics to middle and high school learners.
New in 2021, the updated Financial Foundations now covers 30 key personal finance topics.
Each subject area has a two-level approach:
1Laying the Foundation
2Building the Strategy
Budgeting
LEVEL1
Budget to Build Wealth
Options for building wealth vs. becoming rich
Base savings & spending plans on SMART goals
Calculate your net worth
LEVEL2
Track & Adjust Your Budget
Develop an effective budget tracking system based on personal values & priorities
Adopt sustainable spending habits
Create a budgeting plan that can weather unexpected expenses and income
Credit
LEVEL1
Create Your Credit
Persona
Persona
Learn to utilize debt and credit as tools for reaching financial goals
Make every payment on time
How to periodically check your credit report
LEVEL2
Leverage Loans to Finance Goals
Pros and cons of various loan types
Learn more about interest rates
The negative effects of excessive debt
Investing
LEVEL1
Get Inspired by the Time Value of Money
How interest works
Principles of compound interest
What's involved in higher-risk investments
LEVEL2
Understand Retirement Vehicles
Explore investment options
Retirement vehicles and contributions over time
Learn your own investor type and investing strategies
Protection
LEVEL1
Manage Risk With Insurance
See what risks insurance covers
Understand basic insurance concepts and policies
Review financial risks of being uninsured
LEVEL2
Prevent or Recover From Fraud
Learn the changing types of consumer fraud
Steps to take to avoid becoming a fraud victim
What to do if you experience fraud
Spending
LEVEL1
Tools & Services to Manage & Build Wealth
Using financial services to manage your money
Criteria for comparing financial institutions
Understand common cash management fees
LEVEL2
Take Control of Large Purchase Planning
Determine the total cost of a purchase
Needs vs. wants when purchasing a car
Financing considerations when buying a home
Looking for materials?
All of our Financial Foundations materials are available for download. Pick and choose what you need.
Full-Service Approach to Program Delivery
State Education Standards
Curriculum meets state standards and is designed using national best practices.
Trained Volunteer Presenters
Industry professionals are trained to teach engaging lessons and activities from LEVEL 2 programming. These presenters can truly connect with youth by delivering a relevant program.
No-Cost Learning Materials
Participants are provided a resource guide filled with valuable financial lessons to use during sessions and to take home for continued learning and application. All materials are provided at no cost to schools or participants.
Simple Registration
Schools and community groups schedule programming online to fit their needs. Financial Beginnings takes care of the rest.
The Financial Foundations program covers four important topics, usually broken into four 1-hour sessions, which can be scheduled to fit each teacher's needs. In addition to financial education, students are left with a message of responsibility and a solid footing for a bright financial future.
What We Provide
We provide all students with a copy of the curriculum and all necessary supplemental materials, which will be sent to the school directly, prior to the program. It is our job to make teachers' work easier; we handle all the details and offer a program that enhances the standards-based math and life-skills teachers are already teaching.