Financial Foundations introduces key financial topics to middle and high school learners.

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Foundations covers 30 key personal finance topics.

Each subject area has a two-level approach:

1 Laying the Foundation

2 Building the Strategy

Budgeting

LEVEL 1

Budget to Build Wealth
Options for building wealth vs. becoming rich
Base savings & spending plans on SMART goals
Calculate your net worth

LEVEL2

Track & Adjust Your Budget
Develop an effective budget tracking system based on personal values & priorities
Adopt sustainable spending habits
Create a budgeting plan that can weather unexpected expenses and income
Credit

LEVEL 1

Create Your Credit
Persona
Learn to utilize debt and credit as tools for reaching financial goals
Make every payment on time
How to periodically check your credit report

LEVEL2

Leverage Loans to Finance Goals
Pros and cons of various loan types
Learn more about interest rates
The negative effects of excessive debt
Investing

LEVEL 1

Get Inspired by the Time Value of Money
How interest works
Principles of compound interest
What's involved in higher-risk investments

LEVEL2

Understand Retirement Vehicles
Explore investment options
Retirement vehicles and contributions over time
Learn your own investor type and investing strategies
Protection

LEVEL 1

Manage Risk With
Insurance
See what risks insurance covers
Understand basic insurance concepts and policies
Review financial risks of being uninsured

LEVEL2

Prevent or Recover From Fraud
Learn the changing types of consumer fraud
Steps to take to avoid becoming a fraud victim
What to do if you experience fraud
Spending

LEVEL 1

Tools & Services to Manage & Build Wealth
Using financial services to manage your money
Criteria for comparing financial institutions
Understand common cash management fees

LEVEL2

Take Control of Large Purchase Planning
Determine the total cost of a purchase
Needs vs. wants when purchasing a car
Financing considerations when buying a home
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Best-In-Class Curricula - Inclusion at the Center

Financial Beginnings curricula are updated annually to ensure programming remains relevant to learners' needs and is rooted in instructional design best practices, state education standards, and the latest financial education research. With inclusion driving all aspects of curricula design and delivery, Financial Beginnings ensures all materials are created and revised to serve individuals at all income levels.

We provide all learners with a copy of the curriculum and all necessary supplemental materials, which are sent directly to the school or host site prior to the program. It is our job to make program hosts' work easier; we handle all the details and offer a program that enhances the standards-based math and life-skills educators are already teaching.

Full-Service Approach to Program Delivery

National & State Education Standards

Curriculum meets state standards and is designed using national benchmarks.

Trained Volunteer Presenters

Industry professionals are trained to teach lessons and facilitate engaging activities from Foundations programming. These presenters can truly connect with learners by delivering a relevant program.

No-Cost Learning Materials

Learners are provided a workbook filled with valuable financial lessons, resources, and activities to use during sessions and to take home for continued learning and application. All materials are provided at no cost to educators and learners.

Simple Registration

Schools and community groups schedule programming online to fit their needs. Financial Beginnings takes care of the rest. The Foundations program covers five important topics with two levels of learning each, usually broken into 10 1.5-hour sessions that can be scheduled to fit each educator's or host's needs. In addition to financial education, learners are left with a message of responsibility and a solid footing for a bright financial future.

Financial Beginnings
Mailing Address
619 SW 11th Ave Portland, OR 97205-2646

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Financial Beginnings is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization.