Originally posted on EdNet Insight
Written by Dr. Steven Sims, CEO and Founder, The Money Side of Life from brass| MEDIA Inc.
A note from Robyn: I am sharing this article because I care deeply about financial education and I hope you do too. This information is essential, and the message is especially important during these fast-changing times. Please share this article with parents, teachers, friends, and administrators. We must spread the word.
Being a young adult today is difficult. Every generation says that, but consider the current reality facing young people:
Student loan debt is at historic highs. For the first time in more than a century, more young adults live with their parents than live independently. Forbes recently noted that “two-thirds of young adults commit at least one credit fumble (overspending on a credit card, missing payments, or defaulting) before they turn 30.”
Today’s young people have experienced the housing bubble burst, ongoing global conflicts, and the “Great Recession.” Pair that with the rapid growth of technology and the constant flood of information, and it’s understandable why many graduates—college or otherwise—struggle to find jobs that pay well enough to be independent.
There has never been a time when the idea of being “career- and college-ready” mattered more.
In March 2016, Achieve, a nonprofit focused on education reform, published a study on the college and career readiness of U.S. high school graduates and asked a straightforward question: “Are high school graduates prepared for post-secondary success?” Their conclusion was stark:
“Too few high school graduates are prepared to succeed in post-secondary education, the military, and careers.”
Hearing so many people say, “I wish I had learned that in high school,” inspired us to try to change that narrative.
People make better decisions about money and careers when they learn financial concepts in ways that connect to everyday life. Earning and managing money affects everything: where you live, whether you can afford higher education, employment options, transportation, food choices, and ultimately your self-esteem and well-being.
Understanding how to manage money is one of the most important life skills anyone can have.
What should an effective financial education program include?
Four essential elements of successful programs:
- Experiential learning tied to relevant, real-world topics
- Required collaboration and teamwork
- Easy access to resources—mobile-friendly digital tools plus print materials
- Affordability and transparent pricing
Teacher-Mentored Experiential Learning and Relevance
Experience is one of the most powerful teachers. Connecting students’ personal experiences to complex financial ideas—like borrowing, saving, or living independently—helps make those topics understandable and memorable.
Research indicates that interactive methods—simulations, project-based learning, and solution-focused activities—boost student comprehension. Capture students’ attention by making lessons relevant to their current lives. Relevance improves retention, so prioritize practical concepts over abstract topics that feel distant.
Collaboration
Collaboration is a vital skill both inside and outside the classroom. Working in teams helps students internalize financial ideas and stay engaged. When students are active and moving, they tend to focus more deeply on the task.
Encourage teamwork by assigning group projects that tackle real financial challenges. For example, ask students to propose practical solutions to community financial problems, then debate and defend their plans. These activities build critical thinking, communication, and decision-making skills directly related to money management and career readiness.
Digital and Print Combinations
While schools increasingly adopt digital tools, print materials still have a role—especially where internet access or bandwidth is limited. A balanced mix of mobile-friendly digital resources and clear, supportive print materials gives teachers and students flexible, dependable options for learning.
Program Affordability
With the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA), more funding streams are available to support college and career readiness and personal finance education. Grants such as Perkins and local community partnerships are potential funding sources if districts invest time and creativity. Choose programs with transparent pricing—avoid curricula that hide teacher- or student-level fees that restrict access.
Being young is challenging. Facing adulthood without solid money skills makes it harder. Communities, schools, and families must build support systems to teach real financial literacy and link it to career and college readiness.
Advocate for financial education in your school. Get people excited about teaching the practical side of money management—your students will thank you for years to come.
Dr. Steven Sims is the CEO and Founder of brass|MEDIA Inc. and the creator of The Money Side of LifeTM. He has worked in technology and education throughout his career, beginning with one of the first “Computers in Education” courses when computer science was still new to schools. After years teaching college and founding several ventures, he and his son became passionate about helping young adults understand money. Their hands-on experiment—opening an investment account and learning through real-world experience—became the foundation for The Money Side of LifeTM, a program that demonstrates what technology, mentorship, and experiential learning can accomplish together. Steve can be reached at [email protected].
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