About the Program
Financial $UCCE$$ Lab™ – (Grades 6–12) is a 9-week interactive financial literacy program designed to help students, and their families, learn the building blocks of financial empowerment.
In this independent study curriculum*, students embark on a practical exploration of personal finance foundations, developing the knowledge and skills to make informed decisions about earning, budgeting, saving, and investing - all at their own pace. Through hands-on projects, self-guided real-world scenarios, and reflective exercises, learners will discover how financial choices shape their futures and learn to navigate challenges with adaptability, purpose, and a mindset for collaborative problem-solving, even when working independently.
*Student should keep a single subject notebook for proof of all work/work samples.
The Financial $UCCE$$ Lab™ for Teens curriculum is proactively designed to align with both current integrated standards and the forthcoming mandatory course, ensuring students are well-prepared for a future of financial success.
Big Ideas (unit-wide):
- Every dollar should have a purpose.
- Saving money gives you choices when life happens.
- The way you think about money shapes your life.
- Understanding cashflow helps you build wealth instead of just income.
- The earlier you start, the faster your money compounds.
- Wise decisions today build stability tomorrow.
- Every money mistake can teach you something valuable.
- Negotiation and leverage create opportunities.
- Financial independence is built through planning, purpose, and patience.
Each lesson integrates practical financial competencies, such as budgeting, saving, charitable giving, and investing, with foundational wealth-building principles. These include strategies rooted in proper stewardship of resources and harnessing the power of compounding. The curriculum is designed to foster lifelong financial security and growth through disciplined planning and asset protection and accumulation..
Curriculum Philosophy
“Master Money Early - Empower Your Future, Live Your Legacy.”
The program introduces age-appropriate money concepts:
- Grades 6–8: Practice decision-making, goal-setting, and earning
- Grades 9–12: Explore entrepreneurship, credit, and compound growth
-Grades 9-12 can be expanded to an 18 week, semester course for credit
Each level connects classroom learning to real family conversations, helping students and families see how money choices today shape future freedom.
In a significant update, a new law will require all California high school students to complete a dedicated, one-semester course in personal finance to graduate.
Effective Date: This requirement begins with the graduating class of 2030.
Course Content: The state-mandated curriculum will cover essential, real-world topics including:
Budgeting and money management
Understanding and managing credit
Navigating student loans and other forms of debt
The principles of saving and investing
Protecting against financial risk and fraud
Presented by
Stacey Sue Perez, Ed.D
Creator, Wealthy Whiz Kids™
License #4485464
5055 Avenida Encinas Suite 210 Carlsbad, CA 92008
📞 (760) 807-2046
Ginger Wright
Wealthy Whiz Kids™
License #4404286
5055 Avenida Encinas Suite 210 Carlsbad, CA 92008
📞 (858) 367-9212
“Educating families today to protect their tomorrow.”
Focus Theme: Building your foundation - how to plan where your money goes.
Big Idea: Every dollar should have a purpose.
Key Vocabulary:
Income: Money you earn or receive.
Expenses: Money you spend.
Budget: A plan for how to use your money.
Lesson Summary:
This week, we begin our journey into financial empowerment by learning how to build a personal budget - a skill that forms the foundation for all money decisions. Students will explore the differences between needs and wants, track income and expenses, and discover how assigning every dollar a purpose brings clarity and control. Through hands-on activities like creating a monthly budget based on a part-time job or business, students will collaborate with peers to share strategies and reflect on their spending choices. As they engage with their families about real-life budgeting experiences, students will strengthen their ability to communicate, contribute, and work together toward common goals - skills that will serve them both in financial planning and in life.
A budget serves as a practical roadmap to financial freedom. By learning how to track your income and expenses, you gain greater control over your money and a clearer understanding of where it goes. In this process, you will explore different philosophies about money and develop awareness of the habits and motivations behind spending. You will also see how even small, intentional changes in spending can open up opportunities for saving and investing over time.
Focus Theme: Building your foundation
Big Idea: Every dollar should have a purpose.
A budget serves as a practical roadmap to financial freedom. By learning how to track your income and expenses, you gain greater control over your money and a clearer understanding of where it goes. In this process, you will explore different philosophies about money and develop awareness of the habits and motivations behind spending. You will also see how even small, intentional changes in spending can open up opportunities for saving and investing over time.
Focus Theme: Preparing for life’s surprises.
Big Idea: Saving money gives you choices when life happens.
Key Vocabulary:
Emergency Fund: Money set aside for unexpected costs.
High-Yield Savings Account (HYSA): A savings account that earns more interest.
Traditional Savings Account:
Lesson Summary:
Building on our budgeting foundation, this week students dive into the importance of saving and preparing for unexpected events. They’ll learn how setting aside money for an emergency fund can provide stability and unexpected expenses become an inconvenience versus a catastrophe. Using real-world calculations, students will set savings goals, track their progress, and explore how long it takes to build an “emergency fund.” Collaborative discussions and a family challenge encourage students to share ideas, listen to others’ experiences, and reflect together on how saving early creates long-term security. These activities reinforce the value of teamwork and thoughtful planning in both finances and relationships.
A solid financial plan starts with saving. The goal is to have at least 3–6 months of expenses saved. This becomes your “emergency fund” - it keeps your life stable even when things change.
Focus Theme: Preparing for life's surprises.
Big Idea: Saving money gives you choices when life happens.
A solid financial plan starts with saving. An emergency fund, gives you stability when things change unexpectedly. This week, we'll focus on how to build this financial safety net.
Focus Theme: Discovering your purpose and financial fingerprint.
Big Idea: The way you think about money shapes your life.
Key Vocabulary:
Mindset: Your attitude or beliefs about something.
Financial Goals: Targets you set for how to use your money.
Lesson Summary:
This week, students take a closer look at the attitudes and beliefs that shape how they use money. Through writing a personal “Money Mission Statement,” they’ll define what money means to them, set meaningful financial goals, and explore how habits and emotions influence their choices. Building on lessons about saving, students collaborate by interviewing someone they admire, gathering advice, and sharing what they learn with classmates. These reflective activities help students practice open-minded communication and deepen their understanding of how a positive mindset leads to smarter, more purposeful decisions - both now and for their future.
Financial success starts with mindset. In this lesson, you’ll define what money means to you - security, freedom, impact - and create personal goals that reflect your values. You’ll explore how habits and emotions influence financial decisions.
Focus Theme: Discovering your purpose and financial fingerprint.
Big Idea: The way you think about money shapes your life.
Financial success starts with your mindset. This week, you'll define what money means to you—security, freedom, impact—and create personal goals that reflect your values.
Focus Theme: Learning how money moves.
Big Idea: Understanding cashflow helps you build wealth instead of just income.
Key Vocabulary:
Cashflow: Money coming in and money going out.
Assets: Things that put money in your pocket.
Liabilities: Things that take money out.
Lesson Summary:
This week, students further their financial journey by exploring the movement of money - cashflow - and learning how to make their money work for them. They’ll analyze paychecks, calculate net pay after taxes, and organize their money into categories like spending, investing, savings, and giving. By working together and sharing strategies, students develop a stronger sense of financial responsibility and discover how small adjustments can boost their wealth over time. Family and peer conversations about tracking income and expenses will reinforce the importance of collaboration and real-life application of these skills.
Cashflow is the heart of financial freedom. In this lesson, you’ll explore how to make your money work for you - through multiple income streams, savings, and investments - rather than spending it all. You’ll also learn about taxes and how they affect your paycheck.
Focus Theme: Learning how money moves.
Big Idea: Understanding cashflow helps you build wealth instead of just income.
Cashflow is the heart of financial freedom. “If you don’t find a way to make money while you sleep, you will work until you die.” - Warren Buffet. This week, we'll explore how to make your money work for you. You'll also learn about taxes and how they affect your paycheck.
Focus Theme: Making your money grow faster.
Big Idea: The earlier you start, the faster your money grows.
Key Vocabulary:
Compound Interest: Earning interest on your principle and interest.
Simple Interest: Earning interest on your principle only.
Principal: The original amount of money invested.
Lesson Summary:
Building on their understanding of cash flow, students this week dive into the power of compound growth and how starting early can supercharge their financial future. Through engaging simulations like the “Magic Penny” experiment, students will visualize how money can multiply over time when invested wisely. Collaborative group activities encourage students to chart their results, discuss strategies, and support each other’s learning. As they connect with family members about saving and investing, students practice clear communication and teamwork, laying the groundwork for building wealth together.
Compound growth is one of the most powerful financial tools. With different strategies, your money grows based on stock or index market performance and can be protected from losses. You earn interest on your gains year after year -this is called “the velocity of money.”
Focus Theme: Making your money grow faster.
Big Idea: The earlier you start, the faster your money grows.
Compound growth is one of the most powerful financial tools available. It's like a snowball rolling downhill—it starts small but picks up size and speed over time. This week, we'll see how time can be your best friend when it comes to building wealth.
Focus Theme: Life brings surprises- be ready.
Big Idea: Wise decisions today build stability tomorrow.
Key Vocabulary:
Risk: The chance of losing or gaining money.
Insurance: Protection from financial loss.
Lesson Summary:
This week, students prepare for life’s financial surprises by tackling real-world “what-if” scenarios. Using their budgeting and saving skills, they’ll decide how to handle unexpected expenses, balancing the need to save with enjoying life. By discussing options with peers and family, students practice constructive collaboration; sharing solutions, considering different perspectives, and choosing the wisest response. These activities empower students to face financial challenges with confidence and resilience, demonstrating how thoughtful planning builds stability for the future.
Life will always have surprises; car repairs, job changes, emergencies. Planning helps you stay calm and confident. This week, you’ll explore financial “what ifs” and how to respond wisely.
Focus Theme: Life brings surprises - be ready.
Big Idea: Wise decisions today build stability tomorrow.
Life will always have surprises: car repairs, unexpected trips, or emergencies. Having a plan helps you stay calm and make confident choices. This week, you'll explore financial "what ifs" and decide how you would respond wisely.
Focus Theme: Learning through mistakes.
Big Idea: Every money mistake can teach you something valuable.
Key Vocabulary:
Recalibrate: To adjust or make changes for improvement.
Reflection: Thinking back to learn from experience.
Lesson Summary:
Following their exploration of financial challenges, students this week focus on learning from money mistakes and using setbacks as opportunities to grow. They will revisit their budgets after a simulated setback, reflect on personal and family experiences with financial missteps, and collaborate with peers to share lessons learned. Through these honest conversations and group problem-solving, students develop resilience and adaptability, understanding that mistakes are essential steps on the path to financial success. Practicing respectful communication and teamwork, they strengthen their ability to recalibrate and move forward smarter.
Failure is part of financial success. The key is learning quickly and trying again smarter. This week, you’ll reflect on common money mistakes - overspending, borrowing, or impulse buying - and explore how to “pivot” with grace. One key financial principle is that there are no independent decisions; every financial choice affects another area of your finances.
Focus Theme: Learning through mistakes.
Big Idea: Every money mistake can teach you something valuable.
Failure is a part of financial success. Nobody gets it perfect every time. The key is to learn quickly from mistakes and try again smarter. This week, you'll reflect on common money missteps and explore how to "pivot" with grace. One key financial principle is that there are no independent decisions; every financial choice affects another area of your finances.
Focus Theme: Making smart deals.
Big Idea: Negotiation and leverage create opportunities.
Key Vocabulary:
Negotiate: To talk and agree on a balanced exchange.
Leverage: Using what you have to gain more.
Lesson Summary:
Building on lessons in resilience, students now turn to the art of negotiation and making smart deals. Through interactive simulations, such as the “Great Trade-Off Challenge,” they’ll experience firsthand how to create balanced agreements and recognize value in everyday exchanges. Students work together to evaluate what makes a good trade, discuss strategies, and reflect on their experiences. By collaborating on trades at home and in class, students sharpen their communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills, preparing them to seek win-win outcomes in both financial and personal situations.
We make deals every day; what to trade, what to buy, when to say yes, when to walk away. This week, you’ll learn the art of negotiation and how to create win-win situations, just like in business or investing.
Focus Theme: Making smart deals.
Big Idea: Negotiation and leverage create opportunities.
We make deals every day—what to trade, what to buy, when to say yes, when to walk away. This week, you’ll learn the art of negotiation and how to create "win-win" situations where everyone feels good about the outcome.
Focus Theme: Putting it all together.
Big Idea: Financial independence is built through planning, purpose, and patience.
Key Vocabulary:
Financial Success: Having enough to live comfortably.
Portfolio: A collection of investments or assets.
Lesson Summary:
To conclude our unit, students bring together all they’ve learned by designing a personal Financial $UCCE$$ Portfolio, a comprehensive plan outlining how they will earn, save, invest, and give in the future. Working collaboratively, students share their plans, offer peer feedback, and present their roadmaps to financial success. Family involvement further enriches the experience, as students seek input and support for their goals. This capstone week celebrates students’ growth as thoughtful planners, effective collaborators, and confident financial decision-makers, equipped to pursue lifelong financial success.
Focus Theme: Putting it all together.
Big Idea: Financial independence is built through planning, purpose, and patience.
This is your final project! You will bring together everything you’ve learned about budgeting, saving, mindset, and growth to create a personal plan for your financial future. This is your roadmap to success.
Check out these suggested readings to enhance your understanding and financial literacy knowledge!
This packet is designed to show how families at different life stages can use various to build financial security, flexibility, and a lasting legacy.
A properly designed plan can create peace of mind and opportunity for future generations.
How to Use This Packet
This booklet provides three real-world examples of families starting various strategies at different life stages:
A newborn whose grandparents invested early
A young adult building long-term security
A mid-life professional seeking protection and retirement planning