“If I had known then what I know now.” Pretty much everyone has said that line during their life. But while learning from past mistakes is one approach, there are ways to learn something now before you have to utter that line. 

Many of the Financial Literacy program’s sessions this fall have provided a heavy dose of practical application. Track your income and spending. Learn about income and payroll takes. Understand the difference between gross and net pay. Budget your money to allow for flexibility. Weigh the pros and cons of leasing a car vs. buying one, purchasing a new vehicle vs. a used one, and the various financing options.  

The Financial Literacy program is voluntary. Students choose which topics are of interest to them and attend sessions at their convenience. 

“I want the program to be accessible to every single student, regardless of their background knowledge on the topic,” Director of Financial Literacy Linda Fisher said. “Financial literacy isn't an academic topic; it is a life skill, so every single aspect of it is practical application.”  

Helping students learn this life skill is one of the things that drives Linda. She said she has met people who have made “large financial mistakes in their life, and [I] always wish I knew them before they made the mistakes.” 

“If high school students can gain these important skills,” she continued, “their life trajectory can be so much more positive. It all starts with budgeting. Good budgeting leads to making your money do the most for you.” 

As a result, she said, they can avoid excessive debt, accumulate wealth, and “be their best self and contribute to the common good, too.” 

A typical Financial Literacy session this fall involved discussion and “always a Kahoot to keep the energy level high and promote a fun atmosphere,” Linda said. 

The program last year introduced Pelicoin, a virtual currency system used as a tool to teach personal finance to students. About 160 students took part in the Pelicoin part of the program last year, with many more students taking part in other aspects of the program. 

Junior Shane Lischin has attended many events. He earned the most Pelicoin in the program last year, engaging in over 30 hours of financial literacy during 20 in-person events and six simulations.  

“The primary reason I go to these sessions is the opportunity to learn practical skills that I know I’ll use throughout my life.” Shane said. “Before attending, I had a very surface-level understanding of personal finance — basic concepts like saving money or budgeting were familiar to me, but I didn’t really know how to implement them effectively. These sessions have helped deepen my understanding of topics such as investment strategies, managing credit, and planning for retirement.” 

Shane said he appreciates that “the information is presented in a way that feels accessible and actionable.” 

“The sessions take topics that could be overwhelming and break them down step by step, often using real-world examples.” Shane continued. “I’ve also appreciated the interactive aspects. Being able to ask questions and engage in discussions makes the experience more meaningful.”