Table of Contents

The Foundations in Personal Finance high school curriculum consists of 13 chapters of essential personal finance principles like how to budget, save, avoid debt, invest, be a wise consumer and much more!

Chapter 1: Introduction to Personal Finance

Introduces the topic of personal finance, explores the evolution of credit and consumerism in America, and highlights the importance of both knowledge and behavior when it comes to managing money. 

• Lesson 1: Personal Finance and You
• Lesson 2: A History of Credit and Debt
• Lesson 3: It’s Time for a Change
• Lesson 4: The Road to Financial Success
• Lesson 5: Financial Literacy
• Lesson 6: Money Personalities and Relationships

Chapter 2: Budgeting Basics

Dives into why budgeting is key to taking control of money—and how students can get started right now. 

• Lesson 1: The Benefits of Budgeting
• Lesson 2: Components of a Budget
• Lesson 3: Building a Zero-Based Budget
• Lesson 4: Tracking Your Expenses
• Lesson 5: Make Budgeting a Habit
• Lesson 6: Relationships and Budgeting

Chapter 3: Saving Money 

Emphasizes the importance of saving and explains three reasons why students should save money: emergencies, large purchases, and wealth building. 

• Lesson 1: Saving Money Takes Discipline
• Lesson 2: Three Basic Reasons to Save
• Lesson 3: Saving for Emergencies 
• Lesson 4: Saving for Large Purchases  
• Lesson 5: Building Wealth
• Lesson 6: Compound Interest and Growth   

Chapter 4: Credit and Debt 

Identifies the dangers of debt, debunks some credit myths, explains the credit report and score, and provides practical strategies to get out of debt—and stay out. 

• Lesson 1: Beware of Credit and Debt 
• Lesson 2: Sources and Types of Credit
• Lesson 3: Credit Scores and Credit Reports  
• Lesson 4: The Truth About Credit Cards   
• Lesson 5: The Truth About Car Loans 
• Lesson 6: Getting and Staying Out of Debt    

Chapter 5: Consumer Awareness

Highlights the importance of being a smart consumer as part of a healthy financial plan, explains strategies to manage spending behavior, exposes common consumer scams, and identifies consumer rights. 

• Lesson 1: The Psychology of Sales
• Lesson 2: Buyer Beware
• Lesson 3: The Marketing Machine  
• Lesson 4: Becoming a Smart Spender
• Lesson 5: Protecting Yourself as a Consumer
• Lesson 6: Your Spending Behavior

Chapter 6: Career Readiness

Examines how students can find the right career path and create strategies to land a job they’ll love so they can thrive and enjoy their work. They’ll also discover tips for building a resumé and presenting themselves well during a job interview. 

• Lesson 1: Work Matters
• Lesson 2: Resumé and Interview Basics
• Lesson 3: An Entrepreneurial Mindset
• Lesson 4: The Path to Your Dream Job
• Lesson 5: Exploring Career Options 
• Lesson 6: Be a Lifelong Learner

Chapter 7: College Planning

Explores the variety of educational options available after high school, highlights the dangers of student loans, and explains how students can pay cash for college and avoid student loan debt. 

• Lesson 1: The Path to Intentionality
• Lesson 2: Explore Your Options
• Lesson 3: Consider the Cost
• Lesson 4: Reduce Your Cost
• Lesson 5: Build Your College Resume
• Lesson 6: Maximize Your Investment

Chapter 8: Financial Services

Explores the services provided by banks and credit unions, including the different options and features. Students will learn about responsible banking, how to manage their accounts, and the importance of keeping records.  

• Lesson 1: The Purpose of Banks
• Lesson 2: Types of Financial Institutions
• Lesson 3: Your Bank Accounts
• Lesson 4: Responsible Banking

Chapter 9: The Role of Insurance

Breaks down the purpose of insurance, explains how insurance works, shows how insurance protects a person’s assets, and highlights the eight basic types of insurance everyone needs to have in place. 

• Lesson 1: Insurance Is Important
• Lesson 2: Auto Insurance
• Lesson 3: Homeowners and Renters Insurance
• Lesson 4: Health Insurance
• Lesson 5: Life Insurance
• Lesson 6: Other Types of Insurances

Chapter 10: Income and Taxes

Digs into a huge reality in life: If someone earns an income, they’re going to pay taxes. This chapter also breaks down the basics of different types of taxes—like sales, excise, and federal taxes—including how they impact a person’s income and spending. 

• Lesson 1: What Happened to My Money?
• Lesson 2: Taxes on Your Paycheck
• Lesson 3: Income Tax Basics
• Lesson 4: Filing Your Income Taxes
• Lesson 5: Taxes on Other Types of Income
• Lesson 6: Taxes on Things You Buy

Chapter 11: Housing and Real Estate

Identifies the differences between renting and homeownership. Students will discover the financial costs related to having their own place to live, and they’ll learn what to do when they’re ready to buy a house.

• Lesson 1: Living on Your Own
• Lesson 2: Renting vs. Owning
• Lesson 3: Renting 101
• Lesson 4: Buying a House

Chapter 12: Investing and Retirement

Dives into the basics of preparing for retirement, investing for the future by understanding the stock market and mutual funds, and planning to live a life bursting with generosity. 

• Lesson 1: Money for the Future
• Lesson 2: Understanding Investments
• Lesson 3: Investing Through Retirement Plans
• Lesson 4: Protecting Your Investments
• Lesson 5: Planning for Retirement 
• Lesson 6: Outrageous Generosity

Chapter 13: Global Economics

Examines how the global economy impacts personal financial decisions and how different global economic systems influence decisions about goods and services that are used around the world. 

• Lesson 1: Macroeconomics and Global Activity
• Lesson 2: Economic Systems
• Lesson 3: The U.S. Economy
• Lesson 4: Thinking Globally

Dave Ramsey

Dave Ramsey is America’s trusted voice on money and business. As the founder and CEO of Ramsey Solutions, he has been teaching people how to take control of their finances, enhance their lives, and win with money for over 30 years. After battling his way out of bankruptcy and millions of dollars of debt, Dave set out to change the toxic money culture for the better through common sense, practical financial advice and education. He is the host of The Ramsey Show, the second-largest talk radio show in America. Dave’s eight national bestselling books include The Total Money Makeover, Baby Steps Millionaires and EntreLeadership. He has appeared on Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Today, Fox News, CNN, Fox Business and many more. 

Rachel Cruze

Rachel Cruze is a two-time #1 national bestselling author, certified financial coach and host of The Rachel Cruze Show. Since 2010, Rachel has taught people how to get out of debt, take control of their money, build wealth, and have fun in the process. She has authored three bestselling books, including Smart Money, Smart Kids; Know Yourself, Know Your Money; and Love Your Life, Not Theirs.

George Kamel

George Kamel is a personal finance expert. Since 2013, he has served on the Ramsey team by speaking across the country and co-hosting The Ramsey Show and the Smart Money Happy Hour podcast. On his YouTube channel, George educates and entertains by exposing the financial system designed to keep people broke. George is on a mission to help people spend less, save more, and avoid money traps so they can build wealth and live life on their terms. He is the author of the bestselling book Breaking Free from Broke.

Ken Coleman

Ken Coleman is a two-time national bestselling author, host of The Ken Coleman Show and co-host of the nationally syndicated The Ramsey Show. Since 2014, he has served at Ramsey Solutions, where he offers expert advice to help people find a career they love, make more income, and win at work and in life. Ken has helped thousands of people identify what they do best, the work they love doing, and the results that matter deeply to them. He has authored several books, including The Proximity Principle and From Paycheck to Purpose. 

Dr. John Delony

Dr. John Delony is a bestselling author, mental health expert and host of The Dr. John Delony Show. He also serves as co-host of The Ramsey Show where he helps unpack the psychology behind finances. John has two PhDs and over two decades of experience in counseling, crisis response and higher education. He is the author of the bestselling books Building a Non-Anxious Life; Own Your Past, Change Your Future; and Redefining Anxiety. His goal is to help people navigate tough decisions, improve their relationships, and believe they are worth being well.

Kristina Ellis

Kristina Ellis is a bestselling author who has helped thousands of students earn a debt-free education. She shares practical wisdom
from her personal experience of winning over $500K in college scholarships.