This month’s inflation rate is 2.7%—and while that might seem like just another adult number, it directly affects young people. From the price of snacks to school supplies to bus fare, inflation means your money doesn’t stretch as far. And while the Federal Reserve hasn’t raised interest rates this month, they're still high—which makes borrowing (credit cards, car loans, or student loans) more expensive.

When we talk about financial freedom, most people think about having lots of money, big investments, or early retirement. But before you can ever build wealth, you have to build something more important: a relationship with your money.

And that means doing something many of us were never taught to do…

In the early 2000s, Apple was far from the tech titan we know today. Back then, its stock was volatile, its future uncertain, and the market wasn't sure if the once-great company could survive in the Microsoft-dominated world.

Fast forward to today: Apple is a $3+ trillion company. A $1,000 investment in Apple stock in 2000 would be worth over $25.2 million today.

What happened? And what can we learn?

Let’s break it down.

Each year, the Ayn Rand Institute awards over $40,000 in scholarships to high school and college students through three essay contests:

• 📘 Anthem (for grades 8–12)

• 📘 The Fountainhead (for grades 11–12)

• 📘 Atlas Shrugged (for 12th grade, college undergrad, or grad students)

This guide is here to remind you: money is out there, and your story matters. Scholarships aren't just for 'perfect' students — they're for bold ones. Let's get started.

We get it. When you’re a teen, there’s a lot of pressure to look like you have it all together—even when your wallet doesn’t agree. Whether it’s the newest sneakers, the latest phone, or the brand-name outfit everyone seems to be wearing, the urge to keep up can feel overwhelming. Especially when you have a credit card in your pocket—or access to one—it’s tempting to think, “I’ll just pay it off later.”

But here’s the truth…

You’re showing up to work. Clocking in. Doing more than your job description ever asked. But at the end of the week, the numbers don’t add up. Maybe you didn’t get overtime. Maybe you’re told to show up early—but not clock in until business opens. Maybe your paycheck is missing hours... or "fees" you didn’t agree to. It’s not a mistake. It’s not just “how it is.”

There’s a possibility that what’s happening is wage theft. And wage theft is illegal.

Let’s Get Real for a Second:

Most schools don’t teach you how to manage money. You learn about mitochondria and quadrilaterals, but not how a credit card works. That ends here. Whether you’re flipping sneakers, babysitting, or just saving birthday money, your money mindset starts today—not someday.

When you hear “credit score,” you probably think about money. Whether you can get a car loan. Whether you’ll be approved for an apartment. Maybe even whether you’ll land that job.

But credit scores were never just about money. They’ve become one of the most powerful (and invisible) tools of modern surveillance. Not just tracking how you spend, but how you live.

Today, millions of students have the privilege of graduating college not just with a degree but with tens of thousands of dollars in debt. When you understand the system, you’ll know it wasn’t always like this. In fact, student debt wasn’t inevitable. It was created. And understanding how we got here helps us imagine what’s possible moving forward.

If you’ve ever heard someone say, “I have good credit,” and thought, ‘Okay…but what does that mean?’— you’re not alone.

Let’s break it down.

When people talk about credit, you might hear phrases like “That’s a good score!” or “You need good credit to get approved.” But what does “good credit” actually mean—and why does it matter? Whether you're thinking ahead to getting your first car, apartment, or even a credit card, understanding what makes credit good can help you make smart financial choices early on.