Money Basics for Teens

For high schoolers and anyone brand new to money: open a first account, build a simple budget, see why starting early wins, and learn how credit works before you ever need it.

Beginner7 lessonsAbout 50 minutes of readingCovers Banking, Budgeting, Credit, Compound Interest

Lessons

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Read in order. Each lesson is an article; your progress is saved as you go.

1
Opening Your First Bank Account: Checking, Savings, and Debit Cards
Your first bank account is the foundation everything else sits on. Here is what checking and savings each do, how a debit card works, the fe…
7 min
2
How to Build a Budget That Actually Works
Most budgets fail because they are too rigid. Here is a practical, step-by-step method that adapts to real life and helps you keep more of w…
7 min
3
Compound Interest: The Mathematical Force Behind Every Financial Plan
Compound interest is the reason a small amount invested in your 20s beats a large amount invested in your 40s. Understanding how it works ch…
6 min
4
How Your Credit Score Is Actually Calculated
Your credit score is not a mystery. It is built from five measurable factors, each weighted differently. Here is exactly what goes into the…
8 min
5
How to Build Credit From Scratch
With no credit history, lenders cannot judge you, so they often say no. Here are the proven, low-cost ways to establish a file from zero and…
8 min
6
Who Actually Pays Credit Card Interest (And How to Never Be One of Them)
Credit card interest is not spread evenly. It is concentrated among balance-carriers, and it quietly transfers money to pay-in-full users an…
6 min
7
High-Yield Savings, CDs, and How to Build a CD Ladder
Most checking accounts pay almost nothing. High-yield savings and CDs can earn far more on cash you are not investing. Here is when each mak…
8 min

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