The ABCs of Finance

Studies have shown that financially educated students are less likely to accumulate credit card debt. They are also more likely to apply for and receive financial aid should they need it.

A small minority of American students were required to take at least one semester of personal finance in high school. Few parents ever talk to their kids about money and money-related topics such as saving and budgeting. How, then, could we expect any improvement in the situation?

Financial literacy, access and education have been a pillar of Vested's values since its inception. The way adults perceive and interact with money often stems from their experiences as a child; something our CEO Daniel P. Simon discusses candidly in the author's note of his book, The Money Hackers. In an effort to help parents begin conversations about money with their kids at an early age, Vested put together The ABCs of Finance. The children's book not only brings awareness to financial literacy, but also provides a starting point for parents to have discussions with their children about financial education.

Financial literacy, access and education have been a pillar of Vested's values since its inception. The way adults perceive and interact with money often stems from their experiences as a child; something our CEO Daniel P. Simon discusses candidly in the author's note of his book, The Money Hackers. In an effort to help parents begin conversations about money with their kids at an early age, Vested put together The ABCs of Finance. The children's book not only brings awareness to financial literacy, but also provides a starting point for parents to have discussions with their children about financial education.

With millions previously out of work and tens of millions more struggling to make ends meet, the spotlight has been put on financial literacy and access as a crucial element of this recovery. With this in mind, Vested has put together a financial literacy report that benchmarks where we are as a nation. David Cowen has been the President of the Museum of American Finance since 2009. Under his leadership, the Museum has created two dozen rotating exhibits, instituted a free finance academy for high school students and led board growth from 10 to 35 members. He holds a BA from Columbia College, an MBA from the Wharton School of Business and an MA and Ph.D. in American history from NYU. He has written extensively on US financial history and is the co-author of Alexander Hamilton on Finance, Credit, and Debt and Financial Founding Fathers: The Men Who Made America Rich. He is a founding Co-Chair of the International Federation of Finance Museums (IFFM) and has served on the Smithsonian Affiliates Advisory Council and the Federal Reserve Board's Centennial Advisory Council.