Taking control of your financial future can be intimidating, especially if you’re a young adult who isn’t sure where to begin. A new study by Discover has found that you’re more likely to find success, though -- and even tens of thousands of dollars -- by taking financial education classes. And Discover wants to help you do just that.
Learning About Money is Becoming More Popular
It’s refreshing to find that young adults today seem to be engaging in a financial education more frequently than their older counterparts. The results are very promising, too.
A survey was recently conducted by both Discover and Discovery Education, a digital content organization that provides materials to educators. Of those who responded, 78% of adults had taken a financial education class of some kind. Broken down by age, they found that 80% of young adults between the ages of 18 to 22 had taken at least one financial education course, whereas only 76% of their slightly-older counterparts (age 23-36) had done the same.
While this difference is slight, it does indicate that there is either an increased interest from within younger generations, or perhaps colleges are integrating financial education into their curriculum at an increased rate. Either way, it’s refreshing to see that the percentage is going up as younger generations begin to take control of their own financial futures.
Financial Education Can Be Lucrative
Whether this increase in fiscal education is voluntary or mandatory, the fact remains: it’s definitely having the intended effect.
Of those respondents ages 18 to 25, as many as 59% say that they expect to save at least $10,000 over the course of their lifetime, just thanks to the lessons learned in those classes. On top of that, 81% of those who took a financial education course of some kind say that they now feel “somewhat or very confident” in making smart, informed decisions about their money.
Considering that as many as 61% of young Americans attribute their first big financial faux pas to being misinformed, the addition of basic financial education to a college curriculum (or even sooner) could be all that’s needed to head off a number of financial mishaps.
Discover Wants to Make Education More Accessible
The Pathway to Financial Success program, offered by Discovery Pathways, has been providing adults with the education needed to make empowered, informed financial decisions for years. Now, in conjunction with credit card giant Discover, they plan to expand this program even further.
Their hope? To provide both high school students and adults with the tools and education they need to manage their money for life. The program aims to not only teach budgeting and money management basics, but also inform adults (and soon-to-be adults) about the financial steps they need to take early on, to prepare for their financial future.
The Pathways to Financial Success program has already reached 119,244 students nationwide since it was founded in 2017. It has provided financial instruction and offered the tools necessary to help the upcoming generations not only understand money, but also set themselves up for success in the years to come.
Their newest effort, in conjunction with Discover Financial Services, will seek to aim even younger. In its soon-to-come expansion, the Pathway to Financial Success in Schools initiative will begin educating students as young as middle school on the ins and outs of personal finance.
Matt Towson, Director of Community Affairs for Discover, says that, “It’s important to think of new ways to help Americans of all ages become more financially empowered and capable when it comes to their finances so they can take control of their financial future.”
The digital materials offered by Discovery Education, including the new programs created by the expanded collaboration with Discover Financial Services, are all available free-of-cost at pathwayinschools.com. They can also be streamed for home or classroom use, and are available for ages ranging from middle school children all the way to adults.
