Learning Money Matters: A Fresh Start for Vacaville Teens

The new personal‑finance rule in California is coming soon, and Vacaville High School’s first‑year student Nathan Neff has already taken a step ahead. At the Generation Wealth Workshop run by Travis Credit Union, students get a mock job, paycheck and credit score. They must decide how to spend on rent, transport and clothes while keeping an eye on savings. Nathan felt the crunch early when he realized his paycheck barely covered basics, and a surprise speeding ticket knocked an extra $180 out of his budget. The workshop’s goal is to show how careful planning can protect a paycheck from unexpected hits. California plans to roll out this curriculum across all high schools next year, and by 2031 students will need the course to graduate.Nicole Neff, Nathan’s mother, says older classes only taught checking‑account basics—skills that feel outdated today. She worries kids think money comes from nowhere, not realizing the effort needed to earn and save it. Steward Pimienta, a first‑generation college graduate, notes that many families still learn money skills on their own. He believes workshops like Generation Wealth can bridge the knowledge gap and shift a student’s outlook early on. After the day’s exercise, Nathan said he now plans to save more and think long‑term about his finances. For organizers, that change in mindset is exactly what they aim for.