Parent

Ben's financial learning

What your learner has been doing — and specific, behavior-based conversation starters. No financial expertise required.

Conversation starters

Worth a conversation

Ben chose the highest-cost borrowing option in both borrowing scenarios (a payday loan and carrying a credit-card balance). Consider talking through what high-interest debt actually costs over time.

Worth a conversation

Ben contributed 0% to the 401(k) and left the full employer match on the table. Worth discussing why a match is effectively free money.

Worth a look

Ben spent on both discretionary temptations rather than saving. Ask how it felt when the layoff hit with little cash on hand.

Lessons completed

Ben has completed 1 of 33 lessons.

  • How to Read a Paystub—
  • How to Open a Bank Account—
  • Choosing the Right Kind of Bank Accounts for You—
  • Why Have Multiple Accounts?—
  • Why Have Accounts at Multiple Banking Institutions?—
  • Understanding Bank Fees & Overdrafts—
  • Direct Deposit & How Your Paycheck Arrives—
  • Keeping Your Money Safe: FDIC Insurance & Fraud—
  • APR, APY, and the Cost of Borrowing—
  • Secured vs. Unsecured Loans—
  • Auto Loans and Mortgages—
  • Payday Loans and Other High-Cost Borrowing—
  • HELOCs and Borrowing Against Your Home—
  • Credit or Debit?—
  • Credit Cards: How They Actually Work—
  • How to Evaluate a Credit Card—
  • What Is a Credit Score, and How Do You Build One?—
  • How to Be Responsible with Credit—
  • Emergency Funds: Why They MatterDone
  • How to Create a Budget (and Stick to It)—
  • Setting Your Savings Rate—
  • Needs vs. Wants—
  • Saving for Goals & Sinking Funds—
  • Retirement Accounts & the Employer Match—
  • Investing Basics: Putting Money to Work—
  • Compound Growth: Why Starting Early Wins—
  • Roth versus Traditional—
  • Types of Retirement Accounts—
  • Types of Non-Retirement Investment Accounts—
  • Diversification—
  • Fees: The Cost You Never See on a Bill—
  • Market Drops and Staying Invested—
  • Choosing Your Investments: A Framework—

Game of Life decisions

  • Retirement InvestingContribute 0%
  • Borrowing & CreditTake out a payday loan
  • Savings & Emergency FundGo on the trip
  • Other InvestingLeave it in checking
  • Borrowing & CreditOpen the card, buy the laptop, pay minimums
  • Retirement InvestingTake it all as take-home pay
  • Other InvestingSpend it
  • Savings & Emergency FundBuy it
  • Savings & Emergency FundBuy the upgrade
  • Savings & Emergency FundBuy the festival package

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