Long before a teen lands that first paycheck, knowing how to budget, handle debt and understand taxes can make a big difference in how they navigate adulthood. (PHOTO: JumpStart))
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) —Long before a teen lands that first paycheck, knowing how to budget, handle debt and understand taxes can make a big difference in how they navigate adulthood. That’s the idea behind the Arkansas Coalition for Financial Literacy, which is working to expand financial education in schools across the state and connect students and educators with resources.
Thurlo Cobb said financial literacy is especially important for young people in 2026 because many parents and grandparents “maybe didn’t have that background” themselves, and families often make money decisions based on what they did, or didn’t, learn growing up.
Cobb said it matters to start early, whether that’s “a third grade or fifth grade or even high school,” by covering basics like budgeting, debt, compound interest and taxes.
“When we all got our first job, we’re like, ‘Who’s Mr. FICA?’” Cobb said. “You know, but that’s financial literacy. If you don’t really understand that, you won’t be an adult that makes good decisions.”
Cobb said the coalition has been rebuilding since COVID, when the group lost volunteers “through attrition” because people weren’t able to gather. Since then, he said the coalition has reached out to people in the financial community, community leaders, business leaders and educators to grow its volunteer base and help connect schools with support.
Cobb encouraged people who care about financial literacy education to reach out.
“If you have a heart for this topic of financial literacy education, connecting educators and resources, connecting youth and resources. Give us a shout,” Cobb said. “Let let us know that you have a need or you have students that have a need. Let’s make that connection.”
Cobb, who said he is an investment adviser in his day-to-day work, said the coalition has also been able to bring in additional resources to offer more classroom instruction and help educators provide something new for students.
One recent effort highlighted was a teen teaching event at Ozark High School. Cobb said it was “a successful great event,” and credited instructor Jessica Culver, who he said has organized it “like two or three years now.”
Cobb said the Teen Teaching program is connected to National Jumpstart and involves training high school students to go into elementary schools and read books on financial topics, economics and personal finance. The goal, he said, is to build interest with younger students by keeping lessons age-appropriate and sparking curiosity that can grow into deeper learning in junior high and high school.
As part of the Ozark event, Cobb said students were given breakfast before heading to third-grade classrooms at Ozark Primary, including Chick-fil-A, and received certificates of appreciation.
“We also presented them with certificates of appreciation to say, ‘Hey, we appreciate you,’” Cobb said.
Cobb said 16 students participated, visiting third-grade classes and having fun while introducing younger kids to the building blocks of personal finance.
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