GROW YOUR FUTURE

As you start managing your own money, you’ll notice that many people your age rarely use cash. Instead, they use digital payment apps to send money to friends, split a bill, or pay someone back instantly. Whether it’s Venmo, Cash App, Zelle, or whatever new tools appear in the coming years, the basic idea is the same: you’re moving money from your account to someone else’s with just a few taps.

Every young person who discovers the world of investing eventually feels it — that itch to buy a stock. Your 401(k) doesn’t feel like investing. It’s automatic. You never choose a company or click a “Buy” button. So you start thinking about owning something real: Starbucks, Apple, Disney, SpaceX — a company you recognize and believe in.

“Buy Now, Pay Later” (or “BNPL”) offers sound tempting. They promise you can take something home today and pay for it later in small, easy‑to‑manage chunks. For someone just starting out, that can feel like a lifesaver.

Artificial intelligence has become a powerful research tool for new investors. It won’t tell you to buy or sell a stock, and it won’t make decisions for you—but it can help you understand the economic backdrop behind your investment choices.

Most young people have no real sense of how long a working career actually is. When I speak to high school students, I tell them something that always gets a reaction:

As you begin managing your own money, there’s a new concept you’ll start hearing about: your credit score. It sounds technical, but the idea is simple. A credit score is a number that represents how reliably you handle your financial responsibilities.