Empowering Teens with Financial Literacy: Our Journey with Beyond Personal Finance
Empowering Teens with Financial Literacy: Our Journey with Beyond Personal Finance
As a first-generation Latina, I know firsthand the importance of financial literacy. Growing up in a household where my single mother worked two jobs, we didn’t have the privilege of learning money management skills from generations before. It wasn’t until I was an adult, dealing with student loan debt and navigating savings and retirement, that I realized how crucial these skills are. That’s why I’m so excited to share my experience with Beyond Personal Finance – a game-changing online curriculum for teens.
Why Financial Literacy Matters for Our Kids
Before we dive into the curriculum, let’s discuss why teaching our kids about money is so important. I’ve never used a geometric proof, but I deal with finances every month. Personal finance isn’t just “nice to know”—it’s a critical life skill that can set our children up for success or struggle.
The Real-World Impact
I took out student loans without fully understanding the long-term implications. As I’m on my own financial literacy journey, learning about optimizing savings and making my money work for me in the stock market, I’m determined to give my kids a better foundation.
Introducing Beyond Personal Finance
When I discovered Beyond Personal Finance, I was immediately intrigued. This self-paced, online curriculum for teens (13+) offers something unique: the chance for kids to design their future over a longer horizon than just one year.
What Sets It Apart
What I love about this program is that it’s not just about budgeting or saving. It helps teens see how each financial choice impacts their savings account over time. They begin to understand that the quality of our lives often depends on the quality of our choices – a lesson I wish I had learned earlier!
Our Experience with the Curriculum
I decided to work through the curriculum with my teenage daughter, and I’ve been blown away by the results. Here’s what we’ve loved:
Real-Life Scenarios
The assignments are incredibly realistic. In just the second lesson, my daughter had to make decisions about:
- How often she would eat out
- Whether to live alone or with roommates
- What kind of car to drive
- How much to budget for clothes
She even had to factor in taxes! It was eye-opening for her to see how these choices impacted her bottom line.
The Plot Twist Generator
One of our favorite features is the Plot Twist Generator. It simulates unexpected life events that can impact finances. When my daughter “spun” a $5,000 braces expense, she was shocked – but it led to a great discussion about emergency funds and planning for the unexpected. When shooting the video, I got a different plot twist, where I could choose between attending a concert for $200 or not.
Independent Learning
While I am around when my daughter watches the video lessons, she completes the assignments independently and takes the course herself. This has been great for building her confidence and decision-making skills.
Sparking Conversations
Perhaps the best outcome has been the conversations this curriculum has sparked. We’ve had in-depth discussions about debt, taxes, and the pros and cons of different financial choices—topics we might not have broached otherwise.
Beyond Personal Finance Review: The Ultimate Teen Money Guide for Homeschoolers
Who Would Benefit from Beyond Personal Finance?
This curriculum is perfect for families like mine who want to help their children develop strong personal finance skills. But it’s also great for:
- Parents who want their children to be financially stable
- Busy parents who have the skills but lack the time to teach them
- Parents who don’t have solid personal finance skills themselves
- Homeschoolers looking for an extra high school credit (it might count as a Math, Financial Literacy, or elective credit)
Important Considerations
Age and Skill Level
Beyond Personal Finance is best suited for high school students and up. While they recommend a minimum age of 13, students should have a working knowledge of decimals, percentages, and basic algebra. Younger kids might struggle without significant adult help, which could diminish the impact of the independent learning aspect.
Time Commitment
We spend about an hour to an hour and a half on each lesson, typically once a week; however, there are weeks when our schedule is crazy, and we have to split the videos and coursework up. The self-paced nature allows flexibility, but it’s essential to consider whether this fits your schedule.
Realistic, But Not Exact
The financial figures used in the course are based on national averages, which might differ from your specific location. New York is pretty expensive, and this is another conversation we have when discussing the value of things based on location. However, the principles taught still apply universally.
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Financial Literacy Notebook Cover
FAQs About Beyond Personal Finance
Here are some common questions about the curriculum:
- Is it just common sense? While common sense is a good start, this course goes much deeper into crucial financial concepts.
- Is it just about math? No, it covers financial responsibility, goal setting, and future planning too.
- Is it religious? The curriculum appears to be secular, though this isn’t explicitly stated on their website.
- Does it require special software? No, just internet access and Google Sheets.
- How much parent involvement is needed? It varies, but I recommend being as involved as possible to facilitate valuable discussions.
The Impact on My Daughter
After just a few lessons, my daughter exclaimed, “I really feel like I can handle this!” Her enthusiasm and newfound confidence in managing finances have been incredible to witness.
Why I Recommend Beyond Personal Finance
As someone who’s still learning about financial literacy myself, I can’t overstate how valuable this curriculum has been. It’s thorough, realistic, and engaging. The fact that it was created by another mom who wanted to prepare her own child for financial success resonates with me deeply.
Try Beyond Personal Finance today and give your teen the financial foundation you wish you’d had. It’s an investment in their future that will pay dividends for years to come.
Ready to Get Started?
Don’t let your teen enter adulthood without these crucial skills. Sign up for Beyond Personal Finance and empower your child with financial literacy that will last a lifetime.
