Taking a personal finance class in high school can increase lifetime wealth by $100K.

From Yahoo Finance: 2025-04-21 07:00:00

A recent report shows taking one personal finance class in high school can lead to an average lifetime benefit of $100,000 per student. The value comes from smarter money decisions and investing in the financial markets, which can pay off for decades. However, many teens still lack financial education.

While 70% of teens think saving for retirement can wait, only 36% save for their future. Implementation of financial education is a challenge, with few trained teachers. Some states require personal finance courses, but gaps remain. It’s never too late to learn about money management and investing.

Simple steps include tracking income and expenses, saving for emergencies, and reading books on wealth building. Consider opening a Roth IRA for retirement savings and investing in index funds. Be cautious of risky strategies promoted by social media influencers and start teaching kids about finance early to close the financial literacy gap.

Read more: A single high school class can boost a teen’s lifetime wealth by $100K, but most kids aren’t taking it