It is never too early to develop good financial habits.  To ensure youth increase their understanding of money and finance, a grant to the Mississippi Council on Economic Education helped train teachers in 13 Mississippi school districts how to use their financial curriculum in the classroom. 

Youth develop good money-management skills and receive rigorous instruction in economics, entrepreneurship and personal finance.  Students, like Frederick (pictured) from Indianola, Mississippi, received financial education while saving for an asset–the basis for building wealth.  “I needed a laptop for college, so I started a small store working out of my backpack at school,” he says.  “I learned a lot about money and business and earned $750.”  Since Frederick successfully met his pre-determined goal, the Council matched him dollar-for-dollar to purchase the computer.

An average pre-program test score of 48% showed youth generally had a poor understanding of money and finance.  After instruction, the average score jumped to 85%.  As a result, students who participate in the program are more likely to keep their savings accounts and develop good financial habits, like creating and sticking to a spending and savings plan.