Teaching

As educators, we know that learning can have a life-changing impact. That’s why we’re passionate about bringing financial literacy education to scale through the Initiative for Financial Decision-Making. We are committed to impacting students and the larger society through personal finance education. We know that our work will have a multiplier effect as those who learn, in turn, share their wisdom with others.

Opening Doors for Students

Stanford’s popular Econ 43, Introduction to Financial Decision-Making, is relevant for college students of any major.  The engaging course combines lively lectures, interactive modules, and helpful problem sets. Demand for the class is consistently high; students across the university know the class will help them understand how to approach real-world financial questions throughout their lives.

The Econ 43 course was first offered at Stanford in 2020 by professors Michael Boskin (Tully M. Friedman Professor of Economics and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution), and John Shoven (Charles R. Schwab Professor of Economics, Emeritus, and senior fellow at the Hoover Institution). Faculty now include Boskin, Shoven, and IFDM Faculty Director Lusardi.

IFDM also launched the Personal Finance Lab where students peer-mentor others in personal finance under the supervision of academic advisors.

Opening Doors for Academics

Stanford’s success as a personal finance learning hub has prompted us to hold the annual Teaching Personal Finance Conference. This signature event brings together academics who are teaching or may be interested in teaching personal finance.

The conference offers innovative approaches and new ideas around personal finance education. It also enables participants to share experiences and forge a strong network.