“Secure the Bag” Youth Academy Financial Literacy Mentorship

PROGRAM OVERVIEW ( Pilot Program) (monthly)

It's a two-hour program designed to teach young people the real-life money skills they need before their first job or paycheck. This program will be fun, relatable, and straight to the point. 

1. Welcome & Icebreaker 

• Introduction by Gary B. aka Uncle G
• Icebreaker question: "If you had $500 right now, what would you do with it?"

2. Understanding Banking 

• Difference between banks and credit unions
• What’s a checking account vs. savings account?
• What is a debit card, and how does it work?
• What is direct deposit and how to set it up

3. Budgeting Basics 

• The purpose of a budget: Control your money before it controls you
• Introduce a teen-friendly version of the 50/30/20 Rule
  
  • 50% needs (like food, school supplies)
  • 30% wants (fun, fashion, games)
  • 20% savings/investments
• Walkthrough of a "First Check Budget Worksheet"
• Tips for tracking spending (apps, notes, jars)

4. Intro to Credit 

• What is credit and how does it work?
• Difference between debit and credit
• What’s a credit score and why it matters (future rent, phones, cars)
• Quick story: “How a small mistake can cost big later”

5. Understanding the W-4 

• What is a W-4 and why does it matter?
• Explain terms like “withholding,” “exempt,” and “dependents”
• Simple step-by-step example of how to fill out your first W-4
• Brief walk-through of a sample paycheck

6. Q&A + Wrap Up 

• Open discussion: “What’s one money question you’ve always had?”
• Collect written questions anonymously if time allows
• Recap key takeaways
• Hand out “Your First Money Moves” Checklist (print or digital)

If you would like to get your child in this program please contact me down below and we can setup a meeting and talk. 

Online Program coming soon