Financial Jump Start
A six-week interactive financial literacy program for teens.
What Will My Teen Learn In Financial Jump Start?
Each week, Financial Jump Start will dive deep into a specific financial topic. By the end of the summer, your teen will have a comprehensive understanding of the most important personal finance concepts and will feel empowered as they begin their financial journey.
Week 1: Intro to Personal Finance
Week 2: Evaluating Purchases
Week 3: Credit Cards
Week 4: College Considerations
Week 5: Investing for the Future
I don’t live in Washington state. Can my teen still participate in Financial Jump Start?
Yes! As all Financial Jump Start classes meet virtually via SimplePractice (a secure tele-health platform), it is open to teens across the United States.
My teen is not working yet. Could they still benefit from Financial Jump Start?
Absolutely! Many people do not start learning about personal finance until they are well into adulthood and their career. Imagine giving your child the gift to be financially educated and empowered at such a young age.
How long is each Financial Jump Start class?
Each Financial Jump Start class is approximately 75 minutes. Depending on engagement, classes may last as long as 90 minutes.
What is the total cost of Financial Jump Start?
There are two payment options for Financial Jump Start - one time lump sum and installment plan. The lump sum cost of the six week program is $475. The installment plan consists of 3 biweekly payments of $170 each.
What are the dates and times for Financial Jump Start?
Financial Jump Start will run on the following Thursdays between the hours of 2pm and 3:15pm PST (4pm and 5:15pm CST, 5pm and 615pm EST): June 26, July 10, July 17, July 24, July 31, and August 7.
Invest In Your Teen’s Financial Future Today!
Week 1: Intro to Personal Finance
Introduction to Personal Finance lays the foundation for all future classes. We will review paystubs to understand gross income versus net income as well as taxes. We will discuss checking accounts versus savings accounts, including high yield savings accounts and Certificates of Deposit (CDs). Teens will also learn about automation, paying yourself first, and more!
Week 2: Evaluating Purchases
Evaluating Purchases will help teens to assess their spending decisions. We will explore various approaches to evaluating purchases, such as opportunity costs, price per use, and price per hour worked, among others. Teens will also learn tools on how to save for larger purchases, such as a new phone, a car, etc.
Week 3: Credit Cards
Credit Cards will review the differences between debit and credit cards as well as revolving debt versus installment debt. Teens will learn about billing cycles, Annual Percentage Rates (APR), minimum monthly payments, and more! Finally, we will discuss credit reports and credit scores in addition to how credit scores are calculated and how they impact their lives.
Week 4: College Considerations
College Considerations will identify the differences between grants, loans, and scholarships. Teens will learn how and where they can apply for scholarships. We will also discuss the tuition rates for in-state versus out of state universities and 2-year versus 4-year universities. FAFSA and work study are also on the agenda!
Week 5: Investing for the Future
Investing for the Future will cover Roth IRAs, Traditional IRAs, and workplace 401k plans. Teens will learn about the power of compound interest and understand various investments, such as stocks, mutual funds, index funds, ETFs, etc.
Week 6: Financial Therapy and Behavioral Economics
Financial Therapy and Behavioral Economics will explore how our feelings and beliefs drive our financial behaviors. Teens will identify their goals, values, and priorities and apply these to their financial behaviors. Teens will also learn about common cognitive biases, such as loss aversion and the sunk cost fallacy.