EP 037 Improving Financial Literacy with Special Guest Sen. Chris Gebhard

Even before graduation, high school students are inundated with financial decisions – from student loans for college to the purchase of a first vehicle. However, equipping those students with the knowledge to make informed decisions has proven to be a big challenge. Latest studies show recent high school graduates (18 years of age) through 29-year-olds carry average credit card debt totaling $2,900. As these students grow older, so does their credit card debt. Gen X carries the highest credit card debt load with more than $8,000 in credit card bills. This does not include mortgages, vehicles or other items that are financed. Sen. Chris Gebhard wants to build a better foundation for future financial decisions starting in high school. He authored a new law that will give students basic money management skills and long-term financial planning through a mandatory course every Pennsylvania student will take in high school. The half-credit personal finance course will be a graduation requirement under the new law he authored. He joins Sen. Kristin Phillips-Hill to discuss his effort, why he sponsored the bill and what it means for the future financial health of everyday Pennsylvanians, starting with the next generation of high school graduates. You can learn more about Sen. Gebhard’s new law here: https://senatorgebhard.com/2023/12/13/gebhard-bill-to-improve-financial-literacy-set-for-enactment/