Phoenix Students Launch New Financial Literacy Program
Teenagers in the Phoenix area can now access Dollars and Decisions to improve their understanding of saving and investing.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Planning
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Local high school seniors Sahil Aggarwal and Braden Shuster have created Dollars and Decisions, a financial literacy program aimed at helping teenagers navigate complex money topics. The initiative currently provides education on saving, spending, and investing at various organizations across the Phoenix metropolitan area.
Why it matters
The program addresses a notable gap in financial knowledge among local youth that the founders identified during their own schooling. By providing structured, interactive lessons, the creators aim to equip teenagers with the foundational skills needed for long-term financial health.
Dollars and Decisions now operates across four Phoenix-area organizations, including the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Aspiring Youth Academy, and Roosevelt Plaza Apartments. The scope of the project spans these four sites compared to its initial launch through the SWIFT Youth Foundation.
The players
Sahil Aggarwal
A student at Phoenix Country Day School and co-creator of the Dollars and Decisions program.
Braden Shuster
A student at Phoenix Country Day School and co-creator of the Dollars and Decisions program.
Boys & Girls Clubs
A national organization providing youth development services that now hosts the Dollars and Decisions curriculum.
YMCA
A community-focused nonprofit entity that provides local youth programming and currently hosts the financial literacy sessions.
The details
The curriculum uses interactive games, including adaptations of The Game of Life and Jeopardy, to teach complex financial concepts. Students learn the mechanics of managing personal savings, tracking household spending, and the basic principles of investing. The material is designed to translate abstract economic theory into practical decision-making tools for teenagers.
Timeline
October 13, 2026: Official publication of the program launch details.
Money Landscape
This initiative arrives amidst a national focus on closing the knowledge gap identified in research like the 2023 National Financial Capability Study. It marks a local departure from standard classroom instruction by integrating gamified elements into practical youth financial education.
Local families should review current youth educational offerings at participating sites to determine if the curriculum fits their student's needs. As students build these skills, parents may want to consult a qualified financial professional to align these lessons with the household financial plan.
The takeaway
Financial literacy remains a critical skill for teenagers preparing for adult independence and long-term budgeting. Families interested in these concepts can begin by reviewing their own household savings goals or discussing basic investment principles with a qualified financial advisor.
Further reading
For more strategies on developing foundational money habits, visit our Financial Planning section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
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