The Most Important Things to Know About Money:

1. Banking basics: Understand interest-bearing accounts, inflation, and the importance of an emergency fund. Learn more through Investopedia's banking basics.

2. Income, employment, and career: Explore the impact of education, career choices, and high-ROI paths, including non-college options, on financial stability and long-term success.

3. Budgeting: Learn practical budgeting strategies, prioritize saving over debt, and avoid unnecessary expenses like car loans. Use tools like EveryDollar for easy budgeting.

4. Consumer skills: Make smart buying decisions, avoid financing depreciating items, and understand the true cost of ownership.

   • Buying used cars helps avoid the 20-30% first-year depreciation, saving money that can be invested in appreciating assets like index funds​

     (Investopedia)​(Ramsey Solutions).

5. Credit and debt: Learn to avoid debt traps, use credit wisely, and understand the long-term consequences of debt.

6. Insurance: Gain knowledge of different types of insurance and how they fit into financial planning.

7. Investing: Start early, focus on compound interest, and prioritize long-term wealth-building over short-term spending.