There’s a lot to love about this interview, thank you both. Personal finance, especially talking about it with young adults, is a funny favorite topic of mine. But the reason I am leaving a comment is to wish you well in Wisconsin, Dana. Your description of what it’s been like to move home was really poignant. I hope you find your people, I’m sure in time you will.
I'm curious what Dana thinks about Next Gen Personal Finance. My understanding is that they are a non-profit doing a lot of work around legislation for personal finance education requirements.
But they also offer free curriculums and resources to teachers...
I’ve taught High School seniors with the NGPF curriculum and it’s helpful! They’ve got some educational arcade games worth checking out now matter what your age. Some of the best resources available for teaching personal finance to high schoolers, in my opinion. That said, I agree that there’s a whole lot more than the personal about finances. Having grown up with a lot of financial privilege, I think it’s exceedingly difficult to get out of poverty when you’re growing up in it. One of my favorite lessons they (NGPF) have is a group project where students make plans with roommates/housemates about what to share and split the costs of, quiet hours, guests, etc. But I’m also skeptical that a blanket “make it a requirement to graduate” is the answer. It seems part of the answer should be to regulate predatory lending more or put in place better default safeguards for folks instead of taking advantage of them by making them learn how to avoid things like “overdraft protection.” Curious to learn more about the “you don’t need a budget!” YNAB never really clicked for me but we do track expenses on a spreadsheet. Ramit Sethi’s conscious spending plan approach has resonated with me but he seems to talk about fighting systemic inequalities less than NGPF, which has some supplemental materials on such topics.
Yes!, Diania I love the work NGPF is doing! They're important advocates for effective financial education. I actually don't know whether they emphasize funding for these mandates or not, but they do a great job of backing up their advocacy with resources and a community to support educators. I'd love to see their materials take a more budget-free approach to financial education, but we're just getting the word out about that, so I give them a pass... 🙃
"I don’t think I’m alone in this experience. I hear from many millennials who’ve returned or feel like they can’t return to these places, and it leaves us disconnected from our roots."
You are certainly not alone! This is my reason for not moving back. And this is really interesting about that leaving us disconnected... I agree, but I'm not sure I had ever thought of it quite so directly. Like every time I hear about my home state, there's this real sense that whatever it is - good or bad - also applies to me. There's a real connection there still, and yet, I haven't lived there in decades and probably won't ever again, and that means I can't fully explore that connection.
Oh, I was just reading along, agreeing with everything she says, and then find a mention of my work! How cool! Thanks!
There’s a lot to love about this interview, thank you both. Personal finance, especially talking about it with young adults, is a funny favorite topic of mine. But the reason I am leaving a comment is to wish you well in Wisconsin, Dana. Your description of what it’s been like to move home was really poignant. I hope you find your people, I’m sure in time you will.
Thank you, Asha! I recently found your work through an old episode of your podcast; funny to connect with you here!
That’s fantastic!
I'm curious what Dana thinks about Next Gen Personal Finance. My understanding is that they are a non-profit doing a lot of work around legislation for personal finance education requirements.
But they also offer free curriculums and resources to teachers...
https://www.ngpf.org/
I’ve taught High School seniors with the NGPF curriculum and it’s helpful! They’ve got some educational arcade games worth checking out now matter what your age. Some of the best resources available for teaching personal finance to high schoolers, in my opinion. That said, I agree that there’s a whole lot more than the personal about finances. Having grown up with a lot of financial privilege, I think it’s exceedingly difficult to get out of poverty when you’re growing up in it. One of my favorite lessons they (NGPF) have is a group project where students make plans with roommates/housemates about what to share and split the costs of, quiet hours, guests, etc. But I’m also skeptical that a blanket “make it a requirement to graduate” is the answer. It seems part of the answer should be to regulate predatory lending more or put in place better default safeguards for folks instead of taking advantage of them by making them learn how to avoid things like “overdraft protection.” Curious to learn more about the “you don’t need a budget!” YNAB never really clicked for me but we do track expenses on a spreadsheet. Ramit Sethi’s conscious spending plan approach has resonated with me but he seems to talk about fighting systemic inequalities less than NGPF, which has some supplemental materials on such topics.
Yes!, Diania I love the work NGPF is doing! They're important advocates for effective financial education. I actually don't know whether they emphasize funding for these mandates or not, but they do a great job of backing up their advocacy with resources and a community to support educators. I'd love to see their materials take a more budget-free approach to financial education, but we're just getting the word out about that, so I give them a pass... 🙃
"I don’t think I’m alone in this experience. I hear from many millennials who’ve returned or feel like they can’t return to these places, and it leaves us disconnected from our roots."
You are certainly not alone! This is my reason for not moving back. And this is really interesting about that leaving us disconnected... I agree, but I'm not sure I had ever thought of it quite so directly. Like every time I hear about my home state, there's this real sense that whatever it is - good or bad - also applies to me. There's a real connection there still, and yet, I haven't lived there in decades and probably won't ever again, and that means I can't fully explore that connection.
Love Dana and can't wait for her book!
I also love how Dana describes well-being as spaciousness. Such an important feeling in our loud fast world.
Great interview. I am looking forward to the book.