Money is one of the most uncomfortable topics to discuss for people of any age, and it鈥檚 not hard to understand why.
Personal finances, let alone international commerce systems, can be complex to comprehend and navigate. Wealth inequality is on the rise. Money can be an indicator of success and happiness鈥攐r not. We also know that there鈥檚 a lot of money out there and that a lot of people don鈥檛 have access to it.
In this 鈥淟et鈥檚 Talk About鈥� collection, we attempt to expand your students鈥� perspective on money by shifting the discussion away from greed and fear. Instead, we examine public (not corporate) banks, happiness, charitable giving, divestment, and entrepreneurship as good-money paths that can lead to equity and improved lives.
You and your students can learn more about other opportunities to acquire wealth, capital, and good credit, especially for low-income Americans, in YES! Magazine鈥檚 The Good Money Issue.
How to Use This Collection
Suggested below are steps to a thoughtful and meaningful discussion with your students about money and its role in their personal lives and in society. Choose what is appropriate for your class.
1. Consult this on how to talk about money with your students.
2. Have students complete a pre-survey (optional).
3. Choose at least one YES! article and another site鈥檚 article for a robust compare and contrast.
4. Use the discussion questions鈥攐r craft your own鈥攖o gauge your students鈥� understanding and opinions.
5. Have students complete a post-survey (optional).
6. Explore curriculum if you鈥檇 like to dive deeper.
Reading Materials
YES! Articles
This Kind of Wealth Really Can Solve Our Problems
Standing Rock鈥檚 Surprising Legacy: A Push for Public Banks
How Funding Black Businesses Can Help Bridge the Racial Wealth Gap
Money Talks: How To Make Those Hard Conversations Easier
Infographic: Here鈥檚 Enough Money to Pay Off Millennials鈥� Student Debt
Outside Articles
(TIME Magazine)
(The Nation)
(Forbes)
Discussion Questions
1. How do you define wealth? Is having a lot of money the only way to be wealthy? What are things in your life that you value most鈥攁nd how are they related to money?
2. As many of the articles stated, not everyone in society has the same opportunity or ability to achieve financial stability or success due to systems of oppression, like racism. What needs to happen to change this cycle and make wealth more attainable?
3. For you and your family, how much money is enough? And, conversely, how much money is too much? How does your family spend (and save) money?
Curriculum
(Conscious Lifestyle Magazine)
