12 Money Skills Teens Need Before They Graduate (2024)

Do you know some teens who could use a crash course in “adulting”? We hear you. Budgeting and saving aren’t on all of our students’ radars, but they are skills students will need no matter what their futures hold. Whether you’re planning a full financial literacy semester or simply advising a student in need, here are 12 money skills teens need before graduation. To support you with this, check out these interactive lessons to supplement your existing math and economics curriculum, available for free from our friends at EVERFI. Because it’s never too early to build a foundation for financial literacy.

1. How to complete their taxes

One sobering reality that comes with adulting is having to pay taxes. So understanding how to calculate and budget for taxes is an essential skill. With instruction and practice, teens can enter the workforce feeling confident and empowered.

Try this: EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School, Lesson 2: Income and Employment

2. How to budget

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Students should learn budgeting basics, such as how to manage monthly finances. Then, once they identify their budgeting personality, they can develop a tactical strategy for setting financial goals.

Try this: EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School, Lesson 3: Budgeting

3. How to invest and grow their money

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Are your students getting investing advice from memes? Teens should understand the different strategies to best secure their financial future. This includes how to allocate assets and diversify to balance risk and reward.

Try this: Marketplaces: High School Investment Education, Lesson 5: Investment game

4. How to bank

Every teen should have a basic understanding of how financial institutions like banks and credit unions work and the different products they offer. Most importantly, students should understand how to open and manage a checking or savings account. Add these lessons to your math or economics courses to provide real-world financial understanding.

Try this:EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School, Lesson 1: Banking Basics

5. How to manage credit and debt

Teens should have a grasp on what credit is, how a credit score is calculated, and why it is important. In addition, they should know how to apply for a credit card and understand the features, fees, and interest rates associated with credit cards.

Try this: EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School, Lesson 5: Managing Credit and Debt

6. How to buy a car and a home

With so many advertisem*nts targeted at students, part of growing up is learning how to be an informed consumer. Understanding how auto and home loans work is basic information that will help them navigate the purchase process when the time comes.

Try this: EVERFI Financial Literacy for High School, Lesson 4: Consumer Skills

7. How to leverage an accounting background

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Accounting is a growing field with lots of unique and interesting jobs. Help students learn about career paths in accounting that may align with their hobbies, interests, and passions.

Try this: Accounting Careers: Limitless Opportunities

8. How to protect themselves from fraud and identity theft

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Teens should have an awareness of how common online scams derail people’s financial security and identity. They work hard for their money and should also know where to turn if fraud does occur.

Try this: Data Science Exploration: Banking Fraud

9. How to use mobile banking apps

Teens should have a thorough understanding of how to manage their finances through online banking portals and mobile apps. This includes the safe and responsible use of virtual payment apps.

Try this: Money Moves: Modern Banking & Identity Protection™, Lesson 2: Modern Banking

10. How to plan and save for college

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As teens head toward graduation, they should have a realistic view of the costs and benefits of the colleges to which they are applying. More importantly, they should know how to navigate paying for college. Skills like understanding financial aid and student loans, how to fill out the FAFSA application, and how to budget for responsible loan repayment will put them on the right path.

Try this: Pathways: Financing Higher Education Lessons 1-5

11. How to develop a business plan and start your own business

Do you have students with an entrepreneurial spirit? If so, encourage their interest by teaching key business concepts such as doing the research, making business decisions, and developing a successful business pitch.

Try this: Venture – Entrepreneurial Expedition, Food Truck Simulation

12. How to save for retirement

You’ve heard it before, but it bears repeating: It’s too early to start planning for the future. As teens enter the workforce, they should be aware of the importance of company 401(k) plans, pension plans, and the other options available.

Try this: Marketplaces: High School Investment Education, Lesson 4: Keys to Investing

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Looking for more ways to make money skills click for teens? Financial Literacy Month (also known as Financial Capability Month) in April is the perfect time to leverage these resources. Check out the full financial literacy suite from EVERFI, which is full of fun and free interactive lessons that are easy to use both in and out of the classroom.

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12 Money Skills Teens Need Before They Graduate (2024)

FAQs

What skills does a 16 year old have? ›

16-Year-Old Language and Cognitive Milestones

In the mid-teen years, kids start to consider how the entire world works and how their life fits into it. They also are mastering abstract thinking—that is, considering what could be and improving their reasoning and problem-solving skills during this time.

How many high schoolers know how do you budget? ›

Although teenagers typically think they know everything, most of them don't know anything about managing money. An overwhelming majority of teens --87% -- admit they don't know much about personal finance, according to a new study by ING Direct.

Is 16 still a kid? ›

The answer to this question in international and domestic law is clear: a child is anyone under the age of 18.

What skills does a 17 year old have? ›

By the age of 17, most teens have good organizational skills. As a result, they can successfully juggle extracurricular activities, part-time jobs, and schoolwork. However, even though many 17-year-olds think they are adults, their brains still have not yet fully developed.

What do high schoolers spend the most money on? ›

Most commonly, teenager's spend their money on food. In a recent study by Lexington Law, food is the number one 'item' being purchased by teens (average age of 16). “Upper-income teens are spending 24% of their cash on food, while teens from average-income homes are spending about 21% on food.”

How many high schoolers have broke 4? ›

Ryun went on to set a national high school record of 3:55.3, which stood until 2001 when it was broken by Alan Webb. Twenty-three U.S. high school students have run the mile in less than four minutes since 1964.

How many high school students struggle with money? ›

A survey of 1,000 teens between 13 and 18 by Wakefield Research shows that 78 percent are currently stressed out about money while 65 percent of teens believe their future happiness will be based on how much money they make.

What should a 16 year old have accomplished? ›

You Should Knowat Age 16, keep working on being even more independent and having a plan for what's next for you!
  • Get ready to apply for college. ...
  • Continue exploring future jobs. ...
  • Get some work experience. ...
  • Learn how to use public transportation. ...
  • Social Security Benefits. ...
  • Think about who can help you. ...
  • Review other steps.

What should a 16 year old be able to do for themselves? ›

Essential Life Skills for 16-Year-Olds
  • Help your teen tackle these need-to-know tasks. ...
  • Money Management. ...
  • Smart Shopping Skills. ...
  • Finding and Holding a Part-time Job. ...
  • Conversing and Making Connections. ...
  • Navigating to and from Unfamiliar Places.
Sep 17, 2019

What options does a 16 year old have? ›

These are your options:
  • stay in full-time education, e.g. at a college, doing A Levels, T Levels or other academic qualifications,
  • start an apprenticeship,
  • work or volunteer for 20 hours or more a week while in part-time education or training.
Jan 11, 2024

What should a 16 year old be making? ›

$47,900 is the 25th percentile. Salaries below this are outliers. $86,400 is the 75th percentile.

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