Why we started teaching children about money
Young Money Edinburgh began in 2019 with a simple observation: the young people coming through schools in Edinburgh were brilliant, capable, and ready to learn—but nobody was teaching them how to manage money.
Our founder, a former secondary school teacher and financial adviser, saw students leave school unprepared for basic financial decisions. Bright teenagers who could solve complex equations couldn't decipher a phone contract. Capable young adults entering university without understanding student loans.
A different approach to financial education
We knew that financial literacy programmes existed, but many were either too corporate, too theoretical, or frankly, too boring to engage young people effectively.
So we built something different. Our workshops are interactive, age-appropriate, and focused entirely on practical skills that young people can use immediately.
Our approach
Every session we run is built around three principles:
- Make it relevant — We use scenarios from their actual lives, not abstract examples
- Make it interactive — Learning by doing, not by listening to lectures
- Make it empowering — Building confidence alongside knowledge
We don't talk down to young people or oversimplify concepts. We respect their intelligence and meet them where they are.
Who we work with
Since launching in 2019, we've delivered financial education to over 800 children and teenagers across Edinburgh. We work with individual families, run sessions for schools, and partner with community groups.
"This should be mandatory in every school. My son learned more in three hours than I learned in twenty years of making mistakes."
— Parent from Stockbridge
Our team includes qualified educators, financial professionals, and youth workers who all share a passion for equipping the next generation with essential life skills.
Why this matters
Financial stress affects millions of adults in the UK. Much of that stress stems from decisions made—or not made—in their teens and twenties.
By teaching financial literacy early, we're not just helping young people avoid mistakes. We're giving them the tools to build the lives they want.
