The Graduation Guidebook: What Every Student Needs to Know About Money and Life

"Reading this guidebook feels like having a wise, trusted mentor walk you through the essential lessons of adult life. With clarity and heart, Kathryn Nermoe gives students the skills they need to thrive financially and live with intention."

Julene D. Nolan, Psy.D., LP, Nationally Certified and Licensed School Psychologist, Minneapolis, MN

"We need more quick and engaging resources for teens to effectively plan their futures and The Graduation Guidebook is it!"

Kathie Kading, Teen Librarian, Champaign, IL

This book is the most concise tool available that covers everything teens need to know about careers and personal finance. The Graduation Guidebook is a valuable resource for secondary and post-secondary schools prioritizing financial literacy, in addition to an educational tool for guidance counselors and families.

In under 100 pages, The Graduation Guidebook is an engaging quick read that:

• • Asks students to stop and think about what they want out of life and describes basic needs versus wants;
  • Walks students through real-life financial decisions they are about to make before and after graduation;
  • Provides current U.S. income levels and commensurate education requirements for various career paths to choose from;
  • Discusses where you want to live, provides state tax information and describes how taxes work;
  • Covers the basics of budgeting, borrowing, investing, the stock market and savings accounts;
  • Examines taking out a mortgage, buying versus leasing a car, and the importance of all types of insurance; and
  • Reveals the true cost of having children.

Various studies and surveys over the years have consistently revealed about half of American adults cannot pass basic financial literacy tests. This should be a major concern - and arguably a top priority - for parents and education systems. The Graduation Guidebook: What Every Student Needs to Know About Money and Life is meant to bridge this divide by not only better preparing our graduates for real-life financial situations, but positioning them to obtain the quality of life they dream of after graduation.

"As a school counselor, I recognize the critical importance of equipping students with practical knowledge for life beyond high school. "The Graduation Guidebook" provides a comprehensive and accessible introduction to personal finance that is both timely and essential. I highly recommend this guide as a valuable resource for all graduating students."

Kelley Margo-Hengel, Licensed School Counselor, Bemidji, MN