Financial literacy curriculum for kids
A 13-unit money curriculum for ages 8–18 — self-paced lessons, printable workbooks and live monthly workshops where students defend their own numbers out loud.
What makes this different from a worksheet pack
Most financial literacy material for kids stops at vocabulary. Rich Kids University treats money as a practice: students build a plan for their own household numbers, submit it for instructor review, revise it after feedback, and then present it live to peers and family. Every unit is anchored in the student's real life and community rather than hypothetical millionaires, and the Parent Academy is included so the adults at home learn the same language.
Scaled by age band
Discoverers · Ages 8–11
Where money comes from, needs versus wants, first savings goal, and simple earning through chores or a micro-stand.
Student work
Illustrated planning sheets, short videos, one-page reflections.
Voices · Ages 12–15
Budgeting a real month, bank statements, interest both directions, and the difference between a wage, a fee and a profit.
Student work
Monthly money plan, statement read-alongs, workshop presentations.
Torchbearers · Ages 15+
Credit and debt strategy, investing fundamentals, income beyond a paycheck, protecting assets, and community wealth.
Student work
Capstone workbook, risk analysis, live defense of a personal money plan.
The full unit sequence
| Unit | Title | What students can do after it |
|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 | Money has a story | Name where money comes from in your own household and community. |
| Unit 2 | Earning and value | Explain the difference between a wage, a fee and a profit. |
| Unit 3 | Spending on purpose | Build a needs / wants / goals plan for one month. |
| Unit 4 | Saving and the first goal | Set a savings goal with an amount, deadline and weekly plan. |
| Unit 5 | Banking basics | Read a statement and describe what checking and savings each do. |
| Unit 6 | Credit, debt and interest | Explain compound interest in plain language, both directions. |
| Unit 7 | Investing fundamentals | Describe ownership, risk and time horizon with real examples. |
| Unit 8 | Income beyond a paycheck | Identify three ways money can work without your hands on it. |
| Unit 9 | Money and history | Connect Black economic history to decisions families make today. |
| Unit 10 | Protecting what you build | Recognize scams, fine print and pressure tactics. |
| Unit 11 | Giving and community wealth | Plan a contribution that strengthens someone besides yourself. |
| Unit 12 | Rich Habits mini unit | Study habits behind five careers, then run something you own for 30 days. |
| Capstone | Capstone Projects | Put the whole course to work in a final capstone workbook. |
How a month actually runs
- Weeks 1 & 3: new unit releases — short video lesson plus a printable PDF workbook.
- Weeks 2 & 4: assignment due by 11:59 pm on the posted day.
- Once a month: live Zoom workshop, recorded for anyone who misses it.
See the dates on the university calendar, or browse the rest of the program in the course catalog.
Parent questions, answered
What ages is this financial literacy curriculum for?
Ages 8 through 18. The same 13-unit spine is taught in three age bands — Discoverers (8–11), Voices (12–15) and Torchbearers (15+) — with reading level and project depth scaled to each band.
How much time does it take each week?
Plan on about one to two hours a week. New units release in weeks 1 and 3, assignments are due in weeks 2 and 4, and there is one live workshop a month on Zoom that is always recorded.
How do you track my child's progress?
Every submission, instructor comment and completed unit shows up in your dashboard, so you always know what your child has finished, what is outstanding and how their work is developing.
Do we need to buy a textbook?
No. Every lesson includes downloadable PDF worksheets and planning sheets. Students need a notebook and a device with a camera and microphone.
Are parents included?
Yes. The Parent Academy is included with every child's enrollment, so families learn the same vocabulary and can keep the money conversation going at home.
Ready to enroll your child?
Memberships include live instruction, recorded courses, regional events and the Parent Academy.