From Curiosity to Confidence: Empowering the Next Generation with Financial Literacy

Guest Blogger Miles Raymond

In this special guest feature, Sammy Rabbit is proud to spotlight the inspiring journey and insights of Miles Raymond!

Miles is a 16-year-old rising senior at Hough High School in Cornelius, North Carolina, and the founder of Financial Pathways Carolina, a nonprofit dedicated to making early financial education accessible for students nationwide.

As a Certified Financial Education InstructorSM, Miles has created and delivered free financial literacy programs reaching students across the country. His impactful work has been featured in News of Davidson and the National Financial Educators Council. Most recently, he launched SmartStart Stocks, a free stock market simulator designed for both students and educators.

Discover more about Miles, his big dreams, aspirations, and goals on LinkedIn: Miles Raymond

My Journey: The Spark That Changed Everything

One conversation with my uncle about compound interest ignited my passion for financial literacy. I was amazed that money could grow reliably over time just by saving and investing. Why don’t more kids my age know about this? I wondered why my peers weren't equally fascinated by the incredible power of having money work for them. That single spark changed everything. It planted a seed that’s grown into one of my greatest passions.

The concept captivated me. I didn’t want to just learn about it, I wanted to put it into action right away. I started a neighborhood pressure-washing business and an online reselling venture, flipping popular clothing and sneakers. Every dollar I earned, I saved and then invested in securities. I taught myself how to research and value companies so I could identify solid investment opportunities. The more I learned and applied what I knew, the more driven I became to share this knowledge with other young people, especially those who could benefit most from starting early.

Discovering the Critical Window

When I was earning my Certified Financial Education Instructor (SM) (CFEI) credential, I learned something that completely changed how I think about teaching money: kids start forming financial habits before age ten. That blew my mind. It made me realize how critical early financial education is, yet many students don’t get any real training until much later. By then, their money attitudes are set, and bad habits may have been formed that are hard to break.

That’s why I decided to focus on reaching kids in elementary and middle school, when their minds are open and their habits are still forming. If we can spark curiosity and confidence about money during this window, we can set them up for a lifetime of success. That’s when I knew I had to create something different, financial literacy programs designed specifically for younger students that make learning about money both fun and accessible.

Building Financial Pathways Carolina

With that mission in mind, I founded Financial Pathways Carolina. What began as a few workshops and events soon grew into Young Money Matters—a free, five-week virtual program for 5th through 8th graders nationwide. Each week we focused on essential money topics, guided by NFEC industry standards. We covered everything from financial psychology, saving, budgeting, and investing to credit, debt, income, careers, insurance, and more. By using interactive tools and resources, we made each lesson hands-on and practical so students weren’t just learning theories—they were actually applying them.

The program ended up exceeding all of my expectations. We reached students from more than 15 states, and their growth was clear in both pre- and post-program assessments. Nearly every participant reported positive learning outcomes, and parents shared amazing stories about their children’s new excitement for money management. I’ll never forget students typing in the chat how much they loved class—or the one who asked how he could join our team. Those moments showed me we were building something special that truly connected with young minds.

Expanding Our Impact

Beyond our core program, I created SmartStart Stocks, a free gamified stock market simulator that lets students and educators across the country practice investing in a completely risk-free environment. It bridges the gap between classroom knowledge and real-world application, helping students build confidence and understanding before ever putting actual money on the line.

Even more exciting, we launched a chapter program that gives high school students the tools to bring Financial Pathways Carolina to their own states. With starter kits, curriculum guides, training materials, and ongoing support, student leaders can establish chapters while upholding the same high standards of quality and impact. This student-to-student model opens the door to endless possibilities for scaling our mission and empowering young people everywhere.

The Ripple Effect of Early Education

What drives me every day is knowing that the financial habits we help young people build now will grow with them for the rest of their lives, just like the money they save and invest. When a 12-year-old learns how to budget and starts tracking their spending, it’s more than just managing an allowance, it’s laying the foundation for making smart choices as an adult. And when a 13-year-old understands compound interest, they gain a life-changing advantage: the power to start investing in their twenties instead of waiting until their forties.

At Financial Pathways Carolina, I’ve seen how early financial education doesn’t just impact students, it ripples out to their families as kids bring lessons home and spark conversations around the dinner table. We’re not only teaching money management; we’re shaping a generation of financially confident leaders who will make wiser decisions, carry less financial stress, and ultimately have the freedom to chase their biggest dreams.

Join the Movement

My message to other young people is simple: you don’t have to wait until you’re older to make a difference. Even small steps—like sharing financial tips with friends—can spark change. And if you’re ready to think bigger, launching your own educational projects can create an even greater impact. The financial literacy gap affects millions of students who deserve better preparation for their futures, and every one of us has a role to play in closing it.

If you’re passionate about empowering others with financial knowledge, I encourage you to get involved—whether that means starting a Financial Pathways Carolina chapter in your state, volunteering with existing organizations, or simply committing to your own financial education journey. Together, we can make financial literacy accessible, engaging, and inspiring for young people everywhere, creating a ripple effect that transforms families and communities for generations.

Discover more about our featured Guest Blogger

To learn more about Miles and Financial Pathways Carolina, visit the Financial Pathways Carolina website and connect with him on LinkedIn: Miles Raymond

Attention Young Leaders

We welcome and invite you to participate in Sammy's 'Be the Change' financial literacy initiative for college and high school students.

(1) Join peers advancing awareness on the importance of early age, youth, and family financial education by having your journey into financial literacy featured as a Sammy Rabbit Guest Blogger.

Index of Student Blogs (Click and scroll down)

(2) Then volunteer as a Sammy Rabbit Ambassador or Intern championing financial literacy in your community and around the globe! Learn more in these blogs or by CONTACTING Team Sammy today! We welcome your questions and suggestions on Sammy Rabbit and his mission to get kids, families & communities financially literate.

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