As teens prepare for their Call to Adventure into adulthood, they could also use a little dose of reality.

The Refusal of the Call and fear associated with new adult responsibilities around the cost of living, taxes, debt and other rough terrain ahead is normal. In class one, we take a bird’s eye view of their journey ahead, exploring life’s main money levers and the common money pitfalls that throw others off course, helping us hopefully avoid the same fate. 

No one said the hero has it easy. Faced with Tests, Allies and Enemies, we are managing the costs of life, paying bills, and making consequential spending and saving decisions. In this class we explore wants vs. needs and the allure of consumerism.

The Ordeal challenges and strengthens our hero along the way. One of the most common financial pitfalls involves the misuse of credit and debt that often follows. We discuss loans, interest, healthy credit habits, and the difference between good and bad debt, as well as between possessions and actual wealth. For the Approach, we access the magical tools of budgeting and learning to live within our means.

The Road Back encourages our hero to see the power they have over their financial future. Goal-setting and regular savings habits can transform over time into a long-term money superpower. 

In the final session, we time travel and meet our future selves: one middle-aged, another in retirement and hear their advice and pleas for the young person just starting out. We also compare friends who made different saving choices which resulted in dramatically different long-term results. We end our journey and  Return with the Elixir of key money habits that, when started early, reap big rewards.