Initiative for Financial Decision-Making
Welcome to the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making
Stanford’s Initiative for Financial Decision-Making synthesizes research, education, technology, policy, and programs to democratize access to financial education.
We envision a world in which people are empowered to make informed financial decisions to achieve financial freedom. We seek to do this through:
Research
Conducting and publishing pathbreaking research
Teaching
Preparing educators and students for a fast-shifting financial landscape
Policy & Programs
Inspiring financial literacy policy and programs that change lives
Message from Faculty Director
“More than ever, we need people to be financially secure and resilient. That’s why we must provide access to financial education to everyone. Just like reading and writing, people need financial literacy to thrive.”
Annamaria Lusardi, Faculty Director
The Big Three Questions
The Big Three—a trio of simple financial literacy questions—have become the gold standard for measuring whether people understand the basic concepts needed to manage money, build wealth, and create a financially secure future.
Events
2025 Stanford Financial Education Symposium
April 10–11, 2025
Researchers from around the globe presented their work at Stanford University.
Learn more about the event
Financial Education at Scale: Experimental Evidence on a National Information Campaign
Tim Kaiser
May 20, 2025 | 12-1 pm PDT
Learn more about the event