Financial Literacy & Economics

Dear Parents

Did you ever hear yourself say, “I sure wish someone had taught me about money when I was in school.”? Well, this is just what is happening with your teens in Financial Literacy & Economics class.

For the next several weeks, we will be going through the NEFE High School Financial Planning Program^® (HSFPP), a nationally known money management program for high school students that has been used with millions of students since it was created in 1983.

Many young people today are finding themselves in serious financial problems very early and finding themselves in a debt cycle that will be hard to reverse. In the meantime, important life goals are not being saved for. The saddest part of this is that it could all have been avoided with some simple and sound money management skills.

Fortunately, learning how to manage money isn’t rocket science. If you have a plan for spending, live on less than you bring in, save for things, have an emergency fund, understand credit, protect yourself with insurance, and link your financial plan to your life plan, you’ll be well on the way toward financial security.

If you are game, you have a critical role to play. Your teen is likely to ask you questions about some of these topics we’ll be covering. I hope you will take time to help your teen with this as they start on their path toward a sound financial future.

There are two Web sites connected to this program that you should know about. One is for you and the other for your teen. You can reach them both at the NEFE HSFPP Home Page, which you’ll find at hsfpp.nefe.org. Teens will find games, calculators, articles and tools to help them deepen their knowledge and hone their money skills. On the site for parents, look for articles and tips for helping your teen. Be sure to sign up to receive word when new content has been added.

I really hope you’ll take time to help me help your teen in this important area.

Below you will find links to three documents: Course Description, Discussion Board Information, Grading and Class Rules, and Important Links for Class Use.

Please contact me at ECohen@holmdelschools.org if you have any questions or concerns.

`Elliot Cohen