(formerly known as Financial Peace for the Next Generation)

Class Time: 2nd hour (9:35-10:30)

Minimum Class Size: 10

Maximum Class Size: 18

Required Materials or Books:

• Supply fee covers the cost of the 200 page student workbook.
• Calculator

• In 2006 the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy reported that high school seniors scored an average of 52.4% on a basic financial literacy survey.
• 19% of all bankruptcies are filed by people under age 25.

(The following stats are from the 2007 Charles Schwab Teens and Money Survey):

• 34% of teenagers know how to balance a checkbook.
• 88% of teens do not like the way it feels to owe someone money.
• 29% of teens are already in debt with an average debt load close to $300.

Debt is an epidemic in America. Students are entering college without the practical, but essential, skills of balancing their checkbook, living within their means, and preparing/saving for their future. The mistakes students make with their finances during early adulthood are usually burdens that follow them for many years and may hinder their plans for their careers or family.

Dave Ramsey's Foundations in Personal Finance is the "premier" curriculum for teaching high school students how to handle their money. Their goal is "to equip students with the skills and knowledge needed to make sound financial decisions for life". Dave Ramsey is a personal money management expert, an extremely popular national radio personality and best-selling author of The Total Money Makeover.

We will use Dave's videos, class discussion, projects, practical application, group assignments, and some homework to teach these principles. Students will learn saving, investing, college/retirement planning, dealing with debt, avoiding debt, insurance, and much more. They will practice practical life skills such as balancing a checkbook and making a budget. The 200 page workbook will be a solid reference for their entire life, and I hope to instill a desire to avoid debt and manage the money they earn that will benefit your child, and their future family, for a lifetime, as well.

You can check out Foundations in Personal Finance at www.daveramsey.com.

Teacher Information:

Terri is a homeschooling mom of four who has enjoyed co-op with her children for eight years. She studied elementary education at South Dakota State University and Dallas Baptist University.