YFLP — Youth Financial Literacy Project
The YFLP learning pathway

From first money habits to financial independence.

Four levels of financial learning, organized for grades 5–12. Grade ranges guide placement; teachers can choose what fits their students.

4 levels38 units410 planned lessons
Level 1 · Grades 5–6

Financial Foundations

Understand money and develop basic habits around earning, saving, spending, budgeting, and financial decision-making.

8 units Level 2 · Grades 7–8

Financial Essentials

Move from understanding money to actually learning how to manage it.

9 units Level 3 · Grades 9–10

Financial Preparation

Prepare students for increasingly independent financial decisions during high school and early adulthood.

10 units Level 4 · Grades 11–12

Financial Independence

Give students the financial knowledge they need to transition from high school into independent adult life.

11 units

This catalog contains the curriculum structure and lesson outlines. Full teaching content is in development; classroom assignments use lessons published by your school.

Level 2 · Grades 7–8

Financial Essentials

Move from understanding money to actually learning how to manage it.

Unit 1

Managing Your Money

8 planned lessons
  1. Reviewing Income and Expenses
  2. Building a Monthly Budget
  3. Fixed, Variable & Periodic Expenses
  4. Budget Categories
  5. Tracking Transactions
  6. Budgeting With Irregular Income
  7. Adjusting a Budget
  8. Financial Priorities
Open unit outline
Unit 2

Saving & Financial Goals

8 planned lessons
  1. Why Financial Goals Matter
  2. SMART Financial Goals
  3. Short-, Medium- & Long-Term Goals
  4. Emergency Funds
  5. Saving Strategies
  6. Simple Interest
  7. Compound Interest
  8. Time and Money Growth
Open unit outline
Unit 3

Banking & Payments

10 planned lessons
  1. Choosing a Financial Institution
  2. Banks vs. Credit Unions
  3. Checking Accounts
  4. Savings Accounts
  5. Debit Cards
  6. Electronic Payments and Transfers
  7. Mobile and Online Banking
  8. Reading a Bank Statement
  9. Bank Fees
  10. Reconciling Your Transactions
Open unit outline
Unit 4

Introduction to Credit & Debt

10 planned lessons
  1. What Is Credit?
  2. Borrowing Money
  3. Credit Cards
  4. Loans
  5. Principal and Interest
  6. Interest Rates
  7. Minimum Payments
  8. Good Debt vs. Risky Debt
  9. Consequences of Debt
  10. Responsible Borrowing
Open unit outline
Unit 5

Introduction to Investing

10 planned lessons
  1. Saving vs. Investing
  2. Why People Invest
  3. Risk and Return
  4. Stocks
  5. Bonds
  6. Funds
  7. Diversification
  8. Compound Growth
  9. Long-Term Investing
  10. Investment Scams and Risk
Open unit outline
Unit 6

Taxes & Paychecks

9 planned lessons
  1. Why Taxes Exist
  2. Types of Taxes
  3. Income Taxes
  4. Payroll Taxes
  5. Sales Taxes
  6. Gross vs. Net Pay
  7. Reading a Pay Stub
  8. Tax Withholding
  9. Introduction to Filing Taxes
Open unit outline
Unit 7

Careers & Income

10 planned lessons
  1. Career Exploration
  2. Skills and Interests
  3. Education and Training
  4. Comparing Career Paths
  5. Salary and Compensation
  6. Employee Benefits
  7. Part-Time Jobs
  8. Resumes and Applications
  9. Understanding Job Offers
  10. Career and Income Growth
Open unit outline
Unit 8

Entrepreneurship & Starting a Business

12 planned lessons
  1. What Is Entrepreneurship?
  2. Finding a Business Idea
  3. Identifying a Problem & Customer
  4. Business Models & How Businesses Make Money
  5. Startup Costs & Pricing
  6. Revenue, Expenses & Profit
  7. Branding & Marketing
  8. Basic Business Taxes & Legal Considerations
  9. Business Banking & Recordkeeping
  10. Creating a Simple Business Plan
  11. Launching & Growing a Business
  12. Entrepreneurship Project / Business Pitch
Open unit outline
Unit 9

Consumer Protection & Financial Safety

9 planned lessons
  1. Identity Theft
  2. Phishing
  3. Online Scams
  4. Payment Scams
  5. Fraud Warning Signs
  6. Protecting Financial Accounts
  7. Consumer Rights
  8. Reporting Fraud
  9. Evaluating Financial Offers
Open unit outline
Level 2 Final Assessment / Money Management Challenge