By Richard Riva and Martin Lombrano
It’s no secret that there’s a lack of financial education in our school system. Many children grow up never learning how to properly manage their money, avoid debt, or start saving. Instead, they’re forced to learn through trial and error. Many teens and young 20-somethings dig themselves into debt and financial ruin, then have to dig themselves out later on in life. It’s a tragedy.
A few years ago, our firm learned about a program that’s actively working to change the lack of financial education in our school systems. This program is called Ramsey Education—and it was created and founded by financial expert Dave Ramsey and his team.
As soon as we heard about this program, we knew we had to get involved, to find a way to help schools in our community gain access to this life-changing curriculum. That’s why we decided to become program sponsors.
Today, I want to go over which schools we sponsor and what these kids are learning, so you can help us celebrate their success.
What Is the Ramsey Education Program?
Ramsey Education is a personal finance curriculum for high school students. It’s a byproduct of all the years Dave Ramsey spent helping adults learn to budget, save, and retire with dignity, only to have them say, “I wish I would’ve learned this in high school!”
The purpose of Ramsey Education is “to equip educators across the country with the tools and resources they need to teach their students how to successfully manage their money and their lives.” (1) Over the last 10 years alone, the program has impacted over 5 million students and has been taught in 40% of high schools across the U.S. (2) We’re honored to be a part of it.
What Schools Does Our Firm Sponsor?
Our firm has sponsored two local schools since 2020: Sage Hill School and Newport Harbor High School. To date, we’ve impacted over 300 students’ lives. Dan Glenn, a teacher at Newport Harbor High School, said he’d been looking to implement a personal finance curriculum for students for years but couldn’t make the budget work for it. Thanks to our sponsorship, he’s able to change the lives of every student that comes through his classroom.
What Do Students Learn?
The Ramsey Education Program teaches students foundations in personal finance. They cover a range of topics, including:
- An introduction to personal finance
- Budgeting basics
- Saving money
- Credit cards and debt
- Career readiness
- Consumer awareness
- The role of insurance
- College planning
Each lesson is paired with an introductory video from an expert in the field, a student textbook, and an in-classroom activity to solidify the concepts being taught.
Although it’s a personal finance course, it’s about so much more than just money. Kids learn how to think about their futures and build a foundation that allows them to avoid common pitfalls their peers make right out of high school. It expedites their financial success by giving them the tools and confidence they need to manage their money successfully when they graduate. At the end of the day, isn’t that what we all want for today’s youth?
Do You Need Financial Help?
At Wealth Management Solutions, we’re honored to be sponsors of Ramsey Education. Just as those high school students need help developing a strong financial foundation, you too may need help solidifying your financial goals and creating a plan to achieve them. If you’re looking for a trusted partner to help you manage your wealth with purpose, we encourage you to reach out to us today. Schedule a complimentary consultation by contacting us at (949) 475-9700 or info@wms-llc.com.
About Richard
Richard Riva, the founding partner of Wealth Management Solutions, helps families advance their purpose in the framework of family financial matters. He brings comprehensive experience in banking, trust and investment services, and as an independent financial business, the passion in helping people and families, as a trusted advisor. Richard is a proud veteran and currently serves on the California State Guard.
About Martin
Martin Lombrano, AIF, is a partner at Wealth Management Solutions, where he assists families in making purposeful financial decisions for the present and the future. He brings comprehensive experience in trust and investment services and wealth management, as well as a passion for faith-based financial management. Martin is active in his local church and believes in educating the next generation in financial literacy and generosity.
All investing involves risk, including loss of principal. No strategy assures success or protects against loss.
The opinions voiced in this material are for general information only and are not intended to provide specific investment advice or recommendations for any individual.
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