Word of the Week: Loan
What we say A loan is the act of giving an amount of money to a person (or a business) with the terms you must repay the amount plus interest. Interest is the extra money you’ll have to pay back on top of the amount borrowed. Interest is how banks and financial institutions make money! What Caamp says (in their […]
Master Your Money: How to Build a Budget You Can Actually Stick To
When people hear the word “budget,” many immediately think of restrictions, sacrifice, and saying no. Budgeting often gets a bad reputation as a financial diet, a set of rules designed to limit enjoyment and eliminate spontaneity. In reality, successful budgeting is neither punishment nor deprivation. It’s a tool that helps people align their spending with […]
Financial Literacy, Mental Health, and Student Well-Being
Supporting the Whole Child Student mental health and well-being have become top priorities for school districts across the country. As educators work to support the whole child, many are recognizing that financial literacy is more than an academic subject, it is a critical life skill that helps students build confidence, reduce future financial stress, and […]
Word of the Week: Inflation
What we say Inflation is when prices increase. When prices increase, the value of the dollar decreases. What Chance the Rapper says (in his song, No Better Blues) “I hate inflation, hate the store/I hate to choose/hate the war” What we can learn about inflation Inflation makes everyone groan, and Chance the Rapper isn’t the only one who […]
Word of the Week: Sales Tax
What we say Sales tax is a tax on all retail goods and services. Sales tax rates are collected by the retailer and passed on to the state, thus each state sets their own sales tax rate. What Macklemore says (in his song, Thrift Shop) What we can learn about sales tax If you’re only wanting to spend […]
Paying for College Without Paying for it Forever: A Guide to Financially Responsible College Funding
For many students, getting accepted to college feels like crossing the finish line. In reality, it’s the beginning of one of the biggest financial decisions they will ever make. The cost of higher education continues to rise, and students today are faced with a complicated mix of tuition bills, financial aid packages, scholarships, grants, work […]
Building Good Credit Starts Earlier Than Most People Think
For many young adults, credit feels invisible until suddenly it affects everything. It impacts whether someone can rent an apartment, finance a car, qualify for student loans, secure lower insurance rates, or even pass employment screenings. Yet despite its importance, many students graduate high school or college without understanding how credit works, how it’s built, […]
How Financial Literacy Supports College and Career Readiness
School and district leaders are navigating unprecedented demands: raising academic achievement, meeting graduation requirements, improving workforce alignment, and preparing students for an increasingly complex economy. At the same time, budgets are tight, instructional minutes are limited, and accountability pressures are high. In this context, financial literacy for schools is not an extra initiative — it […]
Unlocking Generational Wealth for Women Through Banking
For decades, the financial industry was built around male-centered models: the breadwinner father, the working husband, the male investor. But times have changed. Women now control more than half of U.S. personal wealth and make 85% of household financial decisions. And yet, many banks still fail to provide tools and messaging that center women and […]
How Financial Education Empowers Future Women Entrepreneurs
In classrooms where financial literacy is taught with intention, something powerful happens: girls raise their hands to ask about investing, saving, and starting their own businesses. That’s no coincidence. When girls are introduced to financial concepts early—especially in engaging formats—they begin to see money not as a barrier, but as a tool. In the Portsmouth, […]