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ChooseFI | Financial Independence Podcast

170 | Financial Literacy Curriculum for High School Students

ChooseFI | Financial Independence Podcast

Jonathan Mendonsa & Brad Barrett | Choose FI Media, Inc

Careers, Investing, Business

4.85.2K Ratings

🗓️ 9 March 2020

⏱️ 61 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Most students leave high school barely able to balance a checkbook, let alone launch a business or build wealth. Teacher Rob Phelan noticed this gap—and built a solution that turns teenagers into entrepreneurs while teaching them financial fundamentals. Brad and Jonathan explore how combining financial literacy with hands-on business creation gives students skills their textbooks never mention. Key Topics Discussed [00:00:40] Introduction to Financial Literacy Curriculum Rob Phelan's collaboration with ChooseFI to create a K-12 financial education curriculum Current pilot in Dubai school and partnership with University of Richmond's Masters of Continuing Education program [00:01:54] Rob Phelan's Background Rob's journey as a high school teacher and passion for financial education Personal financial experiences shaping his teaching philosophy [00:05:03] Challenges in Financial Education Knowledge imbalance in financial literacy within marriages and households Need for financial literacy education in schools [00:34:14] The Simple Startup Workbook Resource designed to guide students in entrepreneurial ventures Hands-on learning through brainstorming and business planning [00:41:00] Implementation and Feedback Student and teacher feedback from curriculum pilots Importance of interactive and project-based learning in financial education Key Resources The Simple Startup Workbook [00:55:25] ChooseFI Podcast [00:50:36] ChooseFI Foundation [00:52:06] Notable Quotes "Discovering my passion for teaching drove my commitment to financial education." [00:03:17] "True financial education involves personal development, not just knowledge." [00:19:47] "Understanding needs vs. wants is critical for effective budgeting." [00:32:01] "Building a personal relationship with money is key for students." [00:21:59] "Student-driven learning leads to deeper engagement and understanding." [00:40:34] Action Steps Explore The Simple Startup Workbook to help students launch businesses [00:34:14] Incorporate financial literacy discussions into existing curricula [00:51:51] Engage students in needs vs. wants conversations through practical budgeting activities [00:32:01] Reach out to Rob Phelan to discuss implementing the curriculum in your school [00:52:06] ▶ Listen Next: Ep. 176 — Flexible Spending Rules for Early Retirees | Michael Kitces | Essential Listening

Transcript

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0:00.0

Your listening to Choose FI Radio.

0:09.6

The blueprint for financial independence lives here.

0:20.4

If you're looking to unblocked as secrets to financial independence and early retirement,

0:25.4

you're in the right place.

0:27.2

Stay tuned and join a community of like-minded people who are getting all fans to hear,

0:32.1

and taking control of their lives in the pursuit of financial independence.

0:36.3

Choose FI, your home for financial independence online.

0:41.1

All right everyone on today's episode, we're actually going to do a little bit of hybrid

0:53.5

conversation.

0:54.5

We're going to talk about financial literacy and entrepreneurship as it applies to kids

0:57.8

in high school.

0:58.8

We're going to do that through the lens of Rob Veele and who actually works with us here

1:01.3

at Choose FI.

1:02.3

He's been working with my wife Danny and a team to create a curriculum to serve a K-12,

1:06.6

actually a pre K through 12 audience, which is going to be rolled out under the Choose

1:10.8

FI International Foundation, currently being piloted in a school in Dubai.

1:15.3

And actually right now, the University of Richmond has partnered with us.

1:19.0

There are masters of continuing education program is assessing this curriculum to really

1:23.3

help make it even better.

1:24.6

So there's a lot going on in the background, but Rob is releasing a new book with us called

1:28.4

The Simple Startup, really taking some of the massive lessons that he've learned through

1:32.3

his desire to teach financial literacy and entrepreneurship in the classroom, put it together

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