We like to try different things at NGPF so this week we decided to take a new tack with the podcast and use it to discuss a recent lesson we created, “Teach Investing in 2 Hours.” The lesson’s title matches its goal to teach students in a compressed time frame enough so that they could confidently make a wise choice for their 401(k) (or other retirement) plan. We have heard time and again from educators that investing is the most difficult topic for them to teach their students. The seemingly innumerable investing options (where do I start and end?), the confusing jargon (how do I explain a P/E ratio to a novice investor?) and the lack of experience (I need to be able to manage my own investments before I can teach others) all hinder their performance. With the world moving away from defined benefit plans (pensions) toward DIY  or defined contribution plans, young people need to understand that their investment choices will impact their options, such as when they will be able to retire. We had fun developing this lesson and hope this podcast piques your interest enough to try it in your classroom too!

• NGPF Lesson Guide: Teach Investing in 2 Hours
• NGPF Blog post with Finviz S&P500 market map and questions

• “The game changer is enrolling yourself into a 401(k). You’re going to graduate and get a job and hopefully your employer will have a 401(k) and you need to take advantage of that.”

About the Author

Tim Ranzetta

Tim's saving habits started at seven when a neighbor with a broken hip gave him a dog walking job. Her recovery, which took almost a year, resulted in Tim getting to know the bank tellers quite well (and accumulating a savings account balance of over $300!). His recent entrepreneurial adventures have included driving a shredding truck, analyzing executive compensation packages for Fortune 500 companies and helping families make better college financing decisions. After volunteering in 2010 to create and teach a personal finance program at Eastside College Prep in East Palo Alto, Tim saw firsthand the impact of an engaging and activity-based curriculum, which inspired him to start a new non-profit, Next Gen Personal Finance.