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Free, Student-Led, Grades 5 to 12

Free financial literacy workshops for students.

Money Matters Academy teaches budgeting, saving, and investing through hands-on workshops, taught by students, online and in person. No cost, ever.

$
100% Free
Every session, no fees
Grades 5 to 12
Middle and high school
Online and In Person
Workshops anywhere
Student-Led
Taught by students
What You Learn

Real money skills, taught in plain terms.

  • How to budget. Play the $5,000 budgeting challenge using real Southern California costs.
  • Saving vs. investing. See how compound interest grows money over time.
  • How the stock market works. Stocks, bonds, index funds, and what moves prices.
  • Building a portfolio. Practice investing a hypothetical $1,000 and explain your choices.
$
The Curriculum

Three modules, built from scratch.

Each module pairs a presentation with a hands-on worksheet built around real numbers.

MODULE 01

Core Concepts

Income, expenses, savings, investing, interest, and simple vs. compound growth, all in plain language.

Income vs. expenses · Checking vs. savings · Saving vs. investing · Compound interest
MODULE 02

Budgeting

The $5,000 Budgeting Challenge using real Southern California cost-of-living data. Needs, wants, and what is left over.

Why budgeting matters · 50/30/20 · Needs vs. wants · Saving for goals
MODULE 03

Investing Basics

The four types of investments, plus a worksheet where students allocate $1,000 and justify each choice.

Why markets move · Risk vs. reward · Diversification · Stocks, bonds, funds, crypto
A
About the Founder

Aarin Sasspal

Founder and Student Director

I started Money Matters Academy after watching classmates leave middle school with no idea what a budget looked like, what compound interest did, or why starting early mattered.

Most schools do not teach this, and the ones that do teach it too late. So I built the curriculum I wish I had, and made it free for any student, in any classroom. We focus on Title I schools, where the gap is widest, ahead of California's AB 2927 personal finance mandate.

Getting Involved

It is easy to take part.

1

Register or request

Sign up for a session, or request a workshop for your school.

2

Join a workshop

Attend online or in person. Interactive, 45 to 60 minutes, all materials included.

3

Start a chapter

Want to teach it yourself? Launch a chapter and we will give you everything you need.

Upcoming Sessions

Free virtual summer sessions.

Open to grades 5 to 12. Parent consent required to register.

Sun, July 13
Virtual Summer SessionOnline · 3:00 PM · Free
Register
Wed, July 16
Virtual Summer SessionOnline · 7:00 PM · Free
Register
Questions

Frequently asked questions.

How much does it cost?

Nothing. Every Money Matters Academy session and resource is completely free.

Who is it for?

Students in grades 5 to 12. The core curriculum is designed for middle schoolers, but high schoolers are welcome.

Are sessions online or in person?

Both. We run virtual workshops and in-person sessions at schools and community centers.

Do I need anything to attend?

Just something to write with. For virtual sessions, parent consent is required to register.

Can you come to my school?

Yes. Use the Request a Workshop form and we will reach out to set a date.

Can I start a chapter at my school?

Yes. We provide the full curriculum, slides, worksheets, and onboarding support so you can teach from day one.

Bring Money Matters Academy to your students.

Register for a session, start a chapter, or request a workshop for your school. Everything is free.

Register for a Session Start a Chapter