Make the Most of Your Greatest Advantage

Take Action Now or Face the Cost Later

As the "Next Generation", you’ve got the one thing older generations would pay anything to get back—time. This is your greatest advantage. Unlike those who are nearing  retirement or already there, you have a long runway ahead to build wealth and make financial decisions that will compound over decades. Start using it or lose it.

The power of compound interest works best with time, and if you don't start harnessing this power now, you risk missing out on significant growth that can't be easily recouped later. Every year you delay is a year of potential growth forgone.

This isn't just another generic financial discussion; this is the practical conversation young WealthWave leaders are sharing with their peers—friends, classmates, co-workers, and clients. They understand that you're not looking for abstract "money talk" or complex jargon; you're seeking a clear, personalized plan and actionable strategies for your financial future.

“Time is your first asset. If you learn how money works while you still have it, you’ll have choices most people never get.”

— Lauren Mathews Fairey

What’s Really Happening With Millennials and Money

• Poor financial literacy costs us. Millennials scored an average of 46% on the TIAA Institute/GFLEC Personal Finance Index. Only Gen. Z scored lower at 38%. This shows a clear need for financial education.
• Schools are slowly catching up. While 30 states now require a standalone high school personal finance course, millions still won't receive this education in time. You can't rely on others for your financial future.
• Companies are stepping in. Intuit's free "Intuit for Education" aims to reach 50 million students by 2030 with practical curricula. Capital One cafés offer student ambassador and first-generation programs blending work experience with money skills. Utilize these resources.
• Most Millennials aren't getting professional help. Only 1 in 5 seeks a financial professional; social media often acts as the default teacher. This is risky. Get guidance from vetted professionals as you learn.

“The internet gives you information. Education gives you judgment. That’s the edge.”

— Nick Mitchell

A Simple Money System (from HowMoneyWorks for the Next Generation)

We teach a proven financial framework, a robust system designed to stand the test of time. This isn't a fleeting trend; it's a foundational approach that delivers consistent results, proving just as effective whether you're navigating your financial journey in your 20s and 30s, or planning for long-term stability in your 40s and 50s. Its principles remain relevant and powerful through every stage of life.

The 7 Money Milestones^®

1. Financial Education: Understand the fundamentals of personal finance.
2. Proper Protection: Ensure you and your assets are adequately insured against unexpected events.
3. Emergency Fund: Establish a savings buffer to cover unforeseen expenses.
4. Debt Management: Develop a strategy to control and reduce your debts.
5. Cash Flow: Optimize your income and expenses to create a positive cash flow.
6. Build Wealth: Invest and grow your assets for long-term financial goals.
7. Protect Wealth: Safeguard your accumulated assets and plan for their future.

Use these seven milestones as your personal financial checklist. Start wherever you are right now, and keep cycling through them as your life, income, and goals inevitably change over time.

The 3 Core Concepts You Must Know

• Rule of 72 – a quick way to estimate doubling time: 72 ÷ interest rate ≈ years to double. Know how fast your money (or your debt) doubles and act accordingly.
• Compound Interest – interest earning interest. That’s how small, consistent dollars can snowball into real wealth.
• Time Value of Money – money today is worth more than the same amount later because it has more time to grow. Start earlier and you can save less yet end up with more.

“When you understand doubles, you stop parking money where it crawls and start placing it where it can work.”

— Christa Mathews

Make the FLQ Your Starting Line

If you’re serious about improving your financial well-being, your very first and most crucial move is to measure what you already know right now. This is precisely why we developed the Financial Literacy Quiz (FLQ). By taking this comprehensive quiz, you'll receive a personalized score that clearly highlights your current strengths, identifies any gaps in your knowledge, and pinpoints exactly where you need to focus your efforts for maximum impact.

The beauty of the FLQ is that it provides a tangible baseline; you can then retest yourself after approximately 30 days of dedicated study and application to observe your real, measurable progress. Establishing this single, powerful feedback loop significantly accelerates everything else you endeavor to do on your financial journey. It transforms abstract goals into actionable steps and tangible results.

How to use your results:

• If your score is low: Start Milestone 1. Read, watch, meet with an educator.
• If your score is mid: Add Milestones 2–4 (protection, emergency fund, debt plan).
• If your score is high: Push Milestones 5–7 (cash flow growth, investing, legacy).

Test → Learn → Implement → Repeat.

A Fast Track for the Next Generation

For those in their 20s and 30s, the advantage of youth isn't just about energy; it's about time—a powerful asset when it comes to financial growth. Here’s how this demographic can strategically leverage their early career years to build wealth and security, transforming the passage of time into significant financial gains rather than accumulating stress:

1. Automate a starter emergency fund (Milestone 3). Aim for $1,000, then 1 month, then 3–6 months.
2. Kill high-interest debt (Milestone 4). Use the Snowball or Avalanche method. Every dollar saved on 20%+ debt is a guaranteed “return.”
3. Make compounding non-negotiable (Milestones 5–6). Automate monthly investing—even small amounts. Compounding plus time does the heavy lifting.
4. Lock in low-cost protection (Milestone 2). If someone relies on your income—or co-signed your loans—affordable term coverage can be the difference between stability and disaster.
5. Audit your doubles. Apply the Rule of 72 to your savings and your debts. Move cash from accounts that take centuries to double to vehicles that give you realistic doubles inside your time horizon.

“The goal isn’t to be perfect. It’s to be compounding.”

— Lauren Mathews Fairey

Our Vision and Mission

Our Vision is to lead the financial literacy revolution so people can live confidently without the fear of outliving their money. We aim to spark a widespread movement towards greater financial knowledge and empowerment, so people can live confidently, secure in the knowledge that they are building a stable future and will not have to face the pervasive fear of outliving their hard-earned money.

Our Mission is to teach more people how money works than any company in history—we teach first; we serve when asked. This guiding principle means we teach first, providing comprehensive knowledge and guidance upfront; and we serve only when asked, ensuring individuals are fully informed and in control of their financial journey before seeking specific solutions.

“Knowledge is the greatest wealth. Share it and watch what happens to communities, not just bank accounts.”

— Nick Mitchell

Your 30-Day Action Plan

Day 1 – Take the FLQ. Screenshot your score.
Days 2–7 – Read the core chapters on Compound Interest, Time Value of Money, and the Rule of 72. Practice the Rule of 72 on your accounts and debts.
Days 8–14 – Build your starter emergency fund and pick a debt-kill method.
Days 15–21 – Automate investing from every paycheck (even $50 matters). Compounding + time is the priority.
Days 22–28 – Review your protection and beneficiaries.
Day 30 – Retake the FLQ. Celebrate the jump. Then repeat the cycle.

Why This Matters Now

• Your education system, whether state-funded or private, might not fully equip you with essential financial knowledge. Regardless of what you're taught, taking charge of your financial future is ultimately your responsibility.
• Seize the opportunity to utilize the wealth of free resources available to you. Many corporate programs and nonprofit organizations offer invaluable curricula designed to sharpen your financial skills as you build your life and career. These tools are accessible right now, so make the most of them.
• Many of your peers aren't yet seeking professional financial help, which presents a significant competitive advantage for you. By actively engaging with experts and resources now, you're positioning yourself ahead of the curve, gaining insights that can profoundly impact your long-term financial trajectory.

“Financial literacy is a human right. Learn it young, teach it forward, and refuse to waste the most valuable asset you’ll ever have—your time.”

— Christa Mathews

Make a Decision

Don't delay your financial empowerment. Take the Financial Literacy Quiz (FLQ) today to get a clear picture of your current understanding and identify areas for growth. Then, dive into the foundational elements by starting Milestone 1. This initial step is designed to equip you with the essential building blocks for financial success, setting a solid groundwork for your journey.

Beyond self-study, gain personalized insights by booking a complimentary 20-minute session with a dedicated WealthWave educator. This brief, focused conversation can provide clarity, answer your specific questions, and help tailor your learning path.

Commit just 30 days to this proactive approach, and you'll find yourself not just with an expanded understanding of financial principles, but with a profound sense of control. You won’t merely know more; you’ll actively own more of your financial future, making informed decisions that shape the life you envision.

The Choice is Yours: Act Now or Pay Later. Choose to Act Now.

Lauren Mathews Fairey
Christa Mathews
Nick Mitchell