Why We Teach Young People About Money

Founded in Edinburgh by educators and parents who saw a gap in how young people learn about finances, MoneySkills exists to prepare the next generation for real-world financial decisions.

It Started With a Question

In 2018, our founder Sarah watched her teenage nephew receive his first pay cheque. Within a fortnight, it had vanished on things he could not recall buying. He had no concept of budgeting, no awareness of how quickly small purchases add up.

Sarah, a former finance professional, realised this was not his fault. Nobody had ever taught him. Schools covered algebra and poetry but not how to manage a bank account or recognise predatory lending.

That realisation sparked what would become MoneySkills Edinburgh: a programme built from the ground up to give young people the financial education they deserve.

What Guides Us

🎯

Practical Over Theoretical

We skip the jargon. Every concept we teach connects to real situations young people will actually face: managing pocket money, understanding mobile phone contracts, saving for something meaningful.

🤝

Confidence Without Shame

Money can be a sensitive topic. Our facilitators create environments where questions are welcomed, mistakes become learning moments, and no one feels judged for what they do not know.

🌱

Skills That Grow With Them

We do not just teach facts. We develop habits and frameworks that scale from childhood allowances to adult salaries, adapting as financial responsibilities increase.

When my son started secondary school, he was embarrassed that his friends seemed to understand banking apps better than he did. After completing the Teen Money Mastery programme, he is now the one explaining concepts to his mates. His confidence has completely transformed.

Rachel Henderson

Parent, Stockbridge

Our Approach to Learning

Children learn best when they are engaged and having fun. That is why our sessions feel more like workshops than lessons. Participants run mock businesses, negotiate fake deals, and see the consequences of their decisions play out in real time.

For teenagers, we raise the stakes. They encounter simulated scenarios involving student loans, first flats, and unexpected expenses. By experiencing these situations in a safe environment, they build judgement before the consequences are real.

The People Behind the Programme

Educators, finance professionals, and parents who understand what young people actually need

Sarah Findlay

Founder & Lead Educator

Marcus Chen

Programme Director

Laura Patterson

Youth Engagement Lead

David Murray

Schools Partnership Manager

Working With Schools Across Edinburgh

Since 2020, we have partnered with state and independent schools to bring financial education into the curriculum. Teachers appreciate how our workshops complement existing PSHE content while offering depth that time constraints often prevent.

Our school programmes can be tailored to fit different timetable structures, from single assembly sessions to term-long integrated courses.

Discuss a School Partnership

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