This past Sunday, I had the privilege of leading a financial kids session (grades 6-12). After 15 years working with clients, this was a uniquely rewarding experience.

A CNBC study found that a single high school personal finance class can yield a lifetime benefit of ~$100,000. A truly impactful class at the right age? Likely worth even more.

Most schools, whether public or private, offer little to no personal finance education. What kids do get, like stock-picking contests over a few short weeks, often resemble gambling IMO rather than principled investing. While parents can help shape their kids’ money mindset, external reinforcement can make these lessons stick.

Using a custom interactive session, I skipped basics like credit scores. The goal was to spark curiosity and inspire their own financial journeys. We explored two key areas:

1. Money Concepts: What is money? Its history and role as a store of value, rarely taught, even in MBA programs, yet more important amid today’s debts, deficits, inflation, and money printing.

2. Financial Independence: What this means to them, what it can do for them personally, including helping others around them. Deep dives into earning, saving, and investing, with real principles for long-term success (hint: not about watching CNBC or chasing trends).

The kids’ questions were inspiring, their curiosity was motivating. At this age, they’re a clean slate, absorbing lessons while envisioning their future ahead.

I’m grateful to the organizers and parents who made this event possible.
Let’s keep empowering the next generation with financial wisdom.