Students, $$$. oops, we forgot to teach you about money

This is Seth with SethPerler.com. I’m an executive function coach out of Boulder, Colorado, and that means I help students who struggle with this thing we call school. I totally believe in education.

This video today is for students, and it’s about money. But if you’re a parent or a teacher watching this, I really do want you to watch it. I am going to apologize to you students at the beginning of this video on behalf of all of us adults. I apologize for me, your parents, your relatives, the adults in your life, the teachers in your life, and the schools in your life.

We apologize to you for not educating you on something very important, which is money. We are not teaching you to be financially literate. And if I look a little bit angry, I am, because I am frustrated and I am scared for you.

I’m making this video for students. I don’t care if you’re in fifth grade, twelfth grade, or any age in between. I’m making this video to give you a little bit of information and educate you about what I think is important when it comes to money.

My last tip today is going to be: forget about what I say and educate yourself. But I’ll get there in a moment.

First of all, what you want is to be financially literate. We will teach you algebra, geometry, calculus, stoichiometry, trigonometry, and statistics. We will teach you extraordinary things about math, but we will not teach you how to balance a checkbook. We will not teach you about credit card interest, mortgages, retirement planning, or many of the financial realities you’ll face as an adult.

We’re not going to teach you simple things like how to calculate a tip, estimate sales tax in your head, save for a goal, or understand how much interest you’ll pay on a car loan. If you buy a $25,000 car, it seems like you’re paying $25,000, but you’ll often pay thousands more in interest.

Likewise, if you have a job that pays $100,000 a year, you’re not actually taking home $100,000. Taxes and other expenses reduce that amount significantly.

What I want for you is financial independence. Start Googling those words right now: financial independence. Learn what it means. Learn how to become financially literate. Start educating yourself because we’re dropping the ball, and we’re not going to teach this to you well enough.

I want you to have a great future—a future filled with possibilities, opportunities, and happiness.

If you’re watching my videos, you probably struggle with executive function. That means you’re struggling with execution: getting things done, turning work in on time, staying organized, and following through. That’s okay. I’ve struggled with executive function my entire life too.

But here’s the problem: if you struggle with executive function, you’re more likely to pay late fees, overdraft fees, penalties, and high interest charges. In my own life, I’ve paid thousands—possibly tens of thousands—of dollars because of executive function challenges.

So let me give you some practical advice.

Tip #1: Set up autopay.

If you have bills such as a phone bill, car insurance, or anything else, set up automatic payments whenever possible. This helps eliminate missed payments and costly late fees.

Tip #2: Buy your own stuff.

Even if you’re young, save up and purchase things yourself whenever possible. Doing so teaches you about taxes, saving, and the true value of money. When you spend your own money, you become much more thoughtful about where it goes.

Tip #3: Start paying some of your own bills.

Even if it’s only a few dollars a month toward your phone bill, practice contributing. Learn what it’s like to have financial responsibilities and deadlines.

Tip #4: Learn to save for your goals.

One of the first things I saved for was a guitar. It cost $370, and I was earning about $7 per hour at the time. It took me more than 60 hours of work to buy it.

When you save for something yourself, you learn patience, discipline, and delayed gratification. Set goals and work toward them.

Tip #5: Open a bank account.

Open a checking or savings account and learn how banking works. Even if you only have a small amount of money, begin learning how to manage it.

Tip #6: Use cash.

When you spend cash, you feel the money leaving your hands. That “sting” is useful because it helps you become more aware of your spending. Spending with cards often feels less real.

Tip #7: Don’t spend beyond your means.

Don’t spend money you don’t have. Avoid unnecessary debt. Debt can become a very difficult habit to escape once you get into it.

Tip #8: Try minimalism.

I live a relatively minimalist life. I only keep things that truly matter to me. The more possessions you have, the more time, money, and energy you spend maintaining them.

Simplify your life. Spend money intentionally.

Tip #9: Track your spending.

Use a notebook, spreadsheet, or app and record where your money goes. Small expenses add up quickly.

For example, if you spend $2 every day on a soda, that’s more than $700 per year. Ask yourself whether that’s really how you want to spend your money.

Tip #10: Don’t listen to the hype.

Advertisers want your money. Their job is to convince you that buying something will make you happier.

Think for yourself. Ask whether you truly need something before spending money on it.

Tip #11: Learn about compound interest.

Compound interest can work for you or against you. When you invest money early, it has decades to grow. Learning how compound interest works is one of the most important financial lessons you can learn.

And finally, the most important tip of all:

Educate yourself.

Read books. Watch videos. Ask questions. Learn about money, investing, saving, financial literacy, and wealth building.

Ask adults in your life what they’ve learned about money. Ask what mistakes they’ve made and what advice they would give you.

The more you learn now, the more opportunities you’ll have later. Financial literacy isn’t about becoming rich. It’s about creating freedom, choices, and stability for yourself and the people you care about.

My name is Seth Perler, executive function coach out of Boulder, Colorado. I wish you a fantastic day filled with gratitude, joy, peace, love, and kindness.

Have an awesome day. I’ll see you soon.