Bring fresh perspectives on financial literacy into your classroom. Sage author and personal finance expert Kristen Carioti shares practical methods for teaching budgeting, saving, and investing in ways that connect with students. This conversation offers innovative tools, real-life examples, and strategies to engage diverse learners. Whether you want to enhance your curriculum or help students build lasting financial independence, you’ll find actionable insights to make a difference.

Summary

Empowering students with financial literacy is essential for fostering their long-term success. In this episode, Sage author and personal finance expert Dr. Kristen Carioti discusses equipping students with the skills and confidence they need to take charge of their finances. From practical budgeting and emergency fund strategies to reframing financial habits through a growth mindset, this conversation is packed with actionable advice for educators and learners alike. Dr. Carioti emphasizes the importance of making financial literacy relatable and accessible, addressing the diverse needs of students and the systemic challenges they may face. Whether you’re trying to strengthen your curriculum or empower students to break free from living paycheck to paycheck, this episode offers tools to make an immediate impact.

What We Talk About

• Financial literacy as a life skill: Why mastering financial basics is essential for student success both in and beyond college.
• Escaping the paycheck-to-paycheck trap: Practical strategies like emergency funds, budgeting, and reducing debt dependency.
• The power of a growth mindset: How reframing mistakes as learning opportunities empowers students to manage their finances with confidence.
• Investing is for everyone: Breaking down the basics of IRAs, 401(k)s, and the importance of early investing for wealth creation.
• Empowering women in finance: Addressing financial literacy gaps and societal perceptions to help women gain control of their financial futures.
• Technology’s dual role: Using tools like online calculators for financial planning while staying vigilant against scams and misinformation.
• Making financial education universal: Why including personal finance courses in college curriculums ensures every student is equipped for financial independence.
• Identity-driven habits: Teaching students to align their financial behaviors with empowered identities like “savvy money manager” or “confident investor.”

About the Author

Dr. Kristen Carioti is a Sage author, Dean of the School of Arts and Sciences at Mount Mary University, and a passionate advocate for financial literacy. With over two decades of teaching experience, she specializes in personal finance, applied economics, and creating inclusive learning environments. Dr. Carioti is dedicated to equipping students with the tools they need to build lasting financial independence, inspiring them to think of themselves as savvy investors and confident decision-makers.

Beyond academics, she enjoys weightlifting, journaling, and spending time with her family. Her textbook, Introduction to Personal Finance: A Step-by-Step Guide to Financial Freedom, empowers learners to make informed financial choices with clarity and confidence.