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Youth Financial Literacy & Wealth Building Initiative · Grades 6–8 · Chicagoland

Parents & guardians

Make money conversations easier to start—and safer to practice.

You do not need to have every answer. Simple, judgment-free conversations and small shared activities can help young people build vocabulary, confidence, and healthy habits.

Explore family resources
A parent and middle-school student discussing a family budgeting worksheet at home

A helpful role at home

Focus on questions, not perfection.

Families can reinforce financial learning without sharing income, debt, account balances, or other private details. Use fictional examples when a topic feels personal.

Ask before telling

“What options do you notice?” builds thinking more effectively than giving the answer immediately.

Use everyday moments

Shopping, saving for an outing, comparing plans, or spotting an ad can become a short lesson.

Keep it judgment-free

Different families make different choices. Center values, goals, and safe decision-making.

Protect privacy

Never ask a child to share passwords, account details, card numbers, or sensitive household finances.

Free resource library

Print one page. Try one conversation.

Each resource is designed for adult-guided, age-appropriate practice and avoids requesting private financial details.

1-page PDF

Resource 01

Family Budgeting Worksheet

Plan one practice month together and talk through needs, wants, saving, and giving.

Download PDF
1-page PDF

Resource 02

Four-Week Savings Challenge

Choose a family-approved goal, try a small weekly action, and notice progress together.

Download PDF
1-page PDF

Resource 03

Credit Basics for Families

Use plain language and a fictional example to explore borrowing, repayment, and protection.

Download PDF
1-page PDF

Resource 04

Money Conversation Starters

Bring judgment-free, age-appropriate money questions to dinner or a family check-in.

Download PDF

What students may explore

  • Planning before spending
  • Saving toward a meaningful goal
  • Borrowing and repayment basics
  • Long-term investing concepts through simulations
  • Career and income pathways
  • Entrepreneurship and ethical digital business

What the program will not ask for

  • Passwords, PINs, or account credentials
  • Real household income or debt
  • Card or bank account numbers
  • Individual stock or product purchases
  • Student contact information without an adult
  • Personalized financial, legal, or tax advice

Interested in a future family workshop or student cohort?

An adult can share interest now. Dates, pricing, eligibility, and availability will be confirmed directly before any registration is considered complete.

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