Background
In 2022, Petros testified before the U.S. Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, focusing on retirement and savings enhancements in America. This experience highlighted the extensive student loan debt crisis, with over $1.7 trillion owed and 60% of all students having some form of debt by graduation. Petros realized a critical problem: America's educational system fails to adequately teach young people about money. This oversight leads to a culture where credit is accessed before understanding debt management, and spending is emphasized over saving and investing. Recognizing this, Petros was inspired to advocate for change.
How It Started
Drawing from nearly two decades in financial services, Petros created a financial literacy curriculum, Financial Literacy with Mr. 401(k), ["FinLit with Mr. 401(k)"]. This curriculum was implemented in a Seattle-area school, where Petros, known as Mr. 401(k) due to his professional expertise, taught it to students. The program runs for one hour a day, three days a week, during the Winter Term, introducing young people to essential financial concepts.
Course Overview
'FinLit with Mr. 401(k)' emphasizes conceptual understanding over financial mathematics. The course covers the evolution of money, fundamentals of budgeting, and managing income and expenses. It also delves into understanding assets, liabilities, compound interest, and basic investing principles. Discussions extend to the complexities of the modern financial system and aspects of entrepreneurship, including considerations for starting a business. The course has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from both students and parents.
Parental Engagement: A Partnership in Financial Education
'FinLit with Mr. 401(k)' incorporates a unique daily correspondence component. After each class, a summary email is sent to both students and their parents. This daily update not only keeps parents informed about what their children are learning but also encourages meaningful family discussions about money and finance. The emails serve as conversation starters, enabling parents to engage with their children on financial topics discussed in class. This approach not only reinforces the day's lessons but also fosters a supportive learning environment at home. By being a part of their children's financial literacy journey, parents can help guide them towards making informed financial decisions.
Course Materials
The 'FinLit with Mr. 401(k)' course materials are freely accessible online, offered as a resource for students, parents, and other financial educators:
- Spring 2026 Course Materials (Coming Soon!)
- Winter 2024 to 2025 Course Materials
- Winter 2023 to 2024 Course Materials
- Winter 2022 to 2023 Course Materials
These resources provide support for those interested in enhancing financial literacy.
Open License (Curriculum Materials)
Financial Literacy with Mr. 401(k) (“FinLit with Mr. 401(k)”) course materials made available for download on this website (including PDF lesson materials and handouts) are openly licensed, unless a specific file states otherwise.
License: © 2025 PETROS. Except where otherwise noted, these materials are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0): https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
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Educational Disclaimer
These materials are provided for general educational purposes only and do not constitute investment, legal, tax, or accounting advice. Use is at your own risk.