Youth Programs

Financial Beginnings' largest program is the youth programs which serve elementary, middle and high school aged youth as well as young adults. In order to reduce redundancy, decrease operating costs, and serve an increased number of students, Financial Beginnings partners with Operation HOPE and their Banking on Our Future Program. Financial Beginnings serves high school students and young adults through its Financial Foundations program. Operation HOPE serves middle and elementary school students through its Banking on Our Future program. Both programs are free and provide age-specific curriculum and activities and are designed to promote self-sufficiency, fiscal responsibility, and encourage active and educated participation in the banking system. Together, Financial Beginnings and Operation HOPE have served nearly 25,000 youth at more than 100 schools throughout the Pacific Northwest.

Find out more about the Banking on Our Future and Financial Foundations programs and to sign up your school or community group.



Elementary and Middle School

 High School and Young Adults

Elementary and Middle School Grades 4th - 8th


Banking On Our Future

The Banking on Our Future program provides youth with the financial skills they need to reach their dreams. This fun, engaging and relevant program is taught by professionals in our community who really connect with our youth around these important topics. This free program covers four important topics listed below in a four hour program that can be scheduled to fit each teacher's needs. In addition to financial education, the students are left with a message of empowerment, a message of responsibility, and most important, a message of hope.


Budgeting

Basics of Money
Needs vs. Wants
Earning Power
Budgeting

Credit

Concepts of Borrowing Money & Interest
Credit Reports & Scores
Loans
Credit Cards



Accounts

Banks & Credit Unions
Checking & Savings Accounts
Managing Your Account

Savings & Investing

Savings vs. Investing
Importance of Saving for the Future
Investing Basics


The Banking on Our Future program engages youth through relevant and fun lessons that include hands-on and thought-provoking activities. In addition to the above curriculum, student participants:

  • Create their own budget with mock careers!
  • Open up their own pretend bank/credit union accounts!
  • Write checks and learn how to balance a checkbook!
  • Calculate a loan with good and bad credit! $ Research their favorite company's stock price!


    • Sign up for a program in your classroom!
    For more information, contact us!

    High School and Young Adult


    Financial Foundations

    The Financial Foundations curriculum combines lessons designed by the FDIC, Consumer Action, and the Insurance Education Institute. Curriculum is regularly supplemented and updated by Financial Beginnings' staff, Curriculum Committee Members, and through partnerships with local, regional, and national financial literacy organizations. Curriculum is further supplemented by the personal stories and career experiences of volunteer teachers. The Financial Foundations program is full-service program that provides all curriculum, materials, and volunteer speakers. The Financial Foundations program is provided at no cost to schools.


    Banking

    Banking Terminology
    Opening Bank Accounts
    Calculating Interest
    Banks versus Credit Unions



    Budgeting & Investing

    Basics of Budgeting
    Creating Financial Goals
    Investing Basics
    Money Management

    Insurance

    Importance of Insurance
    Types of Coverage
    Budgeting for Auto Insurance
    Understanding Liability
    Life Insurance Savings Plan



    Credit

    Understanding Credit
    Calculating the Costs of Borrowing
    Reading Credit Reports


    Financial Beginnings' programs are designed to engage students through relevant and fun lessons that include hands-on and thought-provoking activities. In addition to the above curriculum, student participants:


  • Calculate their future life savings!
  • Review actual credit applications!
  • Play Banking Bingo!
  • Serve as jury members for a car accident court case!
  • Write checks and learn how to balance a checkbook!
  • Scrutinize spending habits and brainstorm ways to keep more money in their pockets!
  • Play the "If I Had Millions..." game!


    • Sign up for a program in your classroom!
    For more information, contact us!


    "I've already started to use the information I received in [Financial Beginnings'] class in my outside life. [Money management] is something that most high school students don't think they need to learn, but actually it's one of the most real lessons I've been taught through my high school experience."
      - Student Participant