Moneythink: A more sustainable solution

Almost everyone has suffered from the consequences of a poor financial decision. It might have been investing unwisely, failing to save money, or perhaps overspending on unnecessary goods or entertainment. Although many of these mistakes have little impact on an individual’s larger financial situation, they can be disastrous if committed habitually. Those who spend excessively or borrow unwisely may find themselves in a well that is increasingly hard to scale, with diminishing access to credit ratings and mounting interest payments, compounding an already difficult problem.

We created Moneythink to help our students avoid those problems. We want to give our students the tools they will need for financial stability before they enter the job market. Without the proper compass and motivation, the bureaucracy of banks can seem an impossible labyrinth, and setting aside money each month can seem useless. Moneythink’s program gives high school upperclassmen the basics on finance—from getting a bank account or managing a credit card to basic investing and entrepreneurship—equipping them to succeed as they plunge into paying for their education or supporting themselves for the first time.

We are achieving this with a flexible curriculum that is designed to connect to the student’s world. Classes are based on the experiences that students have already encountered, and the lessons are applied to achieving goals that each student sets at the beginning of the course. Furthermore, the college mentors that teach the classes bridge the age gap to form a connection with the students, providing guidance and leadership. The program also offers our mentors terrific leadership and management experience, as how they teach our curriculum is left entirely to them. Our mentors and high school participants build lasting friendships as they learn together, and mentors often say that they were left as impacted by the experience as the students themselves.

We hope you'll join us on our mission to teach vital financial management skills across America. We'd love to have you on board as a volunteer, donor, or just plain supporter of our cause! Check out our blog, become a a fan on facebook, or follow @moneythink on Twitter.