Financial Literacy:

Basic personal financial management skills, including understanding of income, money management, saving, investing, spending and credit

Knowing how to manage money, use credit effectively, build wealth, and make good financial DECISIONS .

The ability to understand how to make critical financial decisions.

Financial literacy among individuals results in more stable communities. Improved financial literacy, particularly early in life, results in a higher standard of living over the long term, including retirement.

Gaining financial literacy is a long-term process that, for most people, requires the assistance of institutions outside the home.

Many teenagers tend to spend money like adults, and are unaware of the possible consequences of their spending choices. While individuals and businesses bear the majority of the economic strain, children and youth are uniquely impacted by their interactions with household finances. Such moments of financial trouble are teachable opportunities for youth to learn about finances, and to improve their own money management skills.

Financial Literacy for kids and teens

  • Money is the number one cause of divorce in America.

  • Money is among the top reasons people commit suicide.

  • Approximately 75% of Americans live financially month to month.

  • Less than 10% of high school graduates receive any financial education in school.

  • College students are graduating with soaring credit card debt (not including student loans!) along with their diplomas. Four out of ten college students face 'unmanageable' debt as they finish college and enter the job market.

  • Just because a youth turns 18 doesn't mean they are ready to deal with life on life’s terms this is why the West Coast Center organizes positive seminars to help youth prepare for the real world!

  • About one-third of teens surveyed admits owing money to a person or company.

    14% are already more than $1,000 in the red. For teens 16 to 18, the percentage jumps to 22 percent.

    Close to 50% say they are concerned about paying it back.