Survey results prove that JA, at all levels, is preparing students to develop successful financial management habits, empowering them to explore the potential of becoming an entrepreneur, and providing them the skills necessary to succeed in a global economy.

JA Program Impact Around the World

Online Surveys
Dollars with Sense - Financial Literacy Program (Grade 7 & 8)

Encourage students to make sense of their dollars and cents! Dollars with Sense gives junior high school students personal money management skills and challenges them to apply these concepts in their own life, starting now!
View the program's curriculum links to Alberta Education

“ What I learned today will help me in the future because I now know to spend my time and money on things that will benefit in life from” Student, Grade 8

Explore the Possibilities

JA Dollars with Sense is an interactive program designed to encourage grade 7 and 8 students to develop the financial literacy necessary to make informed decisions about their financial futures. Students are provided with the important tools they need to make better economic decisions while learning about budgeting, money management and investments. Students explore different ways of saving & investing to suit their personal goals and are encouraged to examine their spending patterns and decisions. They discover the advantages and risks of different kinds of investments and come to understand the tools and options available for better economic decisions.br> With guidance from business volunteers, students learn the importance of investing in themselves through four interactive and fun lessonsbr>

• Let’s Talk Money – Students explore their own spending habits and then learn specifics about the different options available such as methods of payment: barter, cash, debit, credit, stored value and EFT.
• Be a SMART Shopper – The factors that influence students’ spending are identified and the acronym SMART is used to educate the students in the methods used to be savvy consumers. (Stop and think, Make a plan, Ask questions, Review information, and Take action)
• Look After Your Money – Students differentiate between needs and wants, and consider the concept of setting financial goals. They learn first-hand how to plan to spend money by drafting a budget for a party or other special event through interactive group work.
• Make Your Money Work – Students discover what investing is, and gain familiarity with some investment terms. Then they consider different investment vehicles and how investors choose between them. To wrap up this lesson, they play a game that involves making investment decisions.