Marianna always had an interest in business. As a high school senior and a Distributive Education Clubs of America (DECA) leadership member, she’s no stranger to competition, strategy, and planning for the future. But her journey into financial literacy began much earlier.

As a young teenager, Marianna knew she needed more than the latest sales at her favorite stores. She was already thinking about bigger goals—saving for a car, preparing for college, and managing her future paychecks. That’s when she learned about SecureFutures’ Money Coach program. It was the push she needed to start thinking long-term.

“I would spend all my allowance on the next Forever 21 sale. I knew I definitely needed to learn how to manage my money better, especially if I got a job,” she recalled. Motivated by the desire to make smarter choices, Marianna joined the Money Coach program, where she was introduced to saving, investing, and long-term financial planning.

The program had a profound effect on Marianna, not only giving her the tools she needed to manage her money but also sparking her interest in investing. Her coach, Timothy, played a pivotal role. “He really talked a lot about investing and making your money work for you. It was something I had never thought about at 14,” she said. Inspired by his enthusiasm, Marianna opened her first investment account, starting with stocks from companies she already supported as a consumer. “I thought, instead of just buying a shirt, why not buy a piece of the company?” she shared, explaining her investments in Amazon and H&M.

Marianna’s story is a testament to the lasting impact Money Coach can have, even in a short amount of time. The skills and knowledge she gained continue to shape her approach to money today. “Before the program, my whole goal was to spend money as soon as I got it. Now, I think long-term. I’m saving for a car, I’m applying for scholarships, and I’m more conscious of my financial goals.”

But for Marianna, it wasn’t just the lessons in saving and investing that stood out. “My favorite part of Money Coach, especially during the pandemic, was just having someone to talk to,” she said. The connection she built with her coach helped her stay motivated and focused, despite the virtual nature of the program during COVID-19. “Even though we weren’t face to face he was so engaged with me as a person and continuously checked in to see how I was doing. He not only taught me about finances, but he pushed me to think about how I was going to apply it in my own life.”

Now a senior at Brown Deer High School, Marianna looks ahead to college with aspirations of studying econometrics, and she credits Money Coach for setting her on the right path. “Money Coach gave me a head start so that when I got to my junior year, I had a list of college scholarships that I could apply to,” she said. “It’s something I recommend to any student. Don’t underestimate what you can learn in a short period of time.”

For those looking to make a real impact in their community, becoming a Money Coach volunteer is a rewarding way to guide young people like Marianna toward financial empowerment. Through mentorship and education, volunteers have the chance to help teens shape their financial futures, many of whom may not have these conversations at home.

To learn how you can become a Money Coach and help students like Marianna set themselves up for long-term success contact Volunteer Recruitment Specialist Stephaine Crosley at stephaine@securefutures.org.