Choose FI Foundation Financial Literacy
by ChooseFI Foundation (website )
A comprehensive, free K-12 financial literacy curriculum focusing on modern financial independence and practical life skills.
Best Fit For
Families seeking a modern, secular, and free financial literacy program that covers practical life skills beyond basic banking.
Not Recommended For
Families who prefer strictly physical/printed materials without an online component or those looking for a religious-based stewardship perspective.
What Reviewers Say
Reviewers across the board praise ChooseFI Foundation for providing a high-quality, comprehensive financial literacy program at no cost. Cathy Duffy highlights the curriculum's impressive organization and its focus on modern concepts like the 'FIRE' (Financial Independence, Retire Early) movement, which distinguishes it from more traditional consumer math courses. Users on Reddit and The Homeschool Mom appreciate the split into age-appropriate modules (K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12), noting that it grows well with the student. A common point of praise is the inclusion of real-world skills like habit formation and critical thinking, rather than just rote calculation. Some parents note that because it is so comprehensive, it can feel like a lot to cover, and the digital platform may require some initial time for parents to learn the layout. Overall, it is seen as the premier free resource for teaching modern personal finance.
How It Works
Parents log into the digital platform to download lesson plans and slide decks grouped by grade bands, such as K-2 or 9-12. For younger children, the parent leads a 30-minute interactive activity or game at the kitchen table to teach concepts like 'needs vs. wants,' while high schoolers work through digital modules and case studies more independently. A typical week involves two or three sessions of about 45 minutes each, focusing on discussion and real-world application rather than heavy math drills. All materials are provided digitally, though parents usually print out the included worksheets or use common household items for the hands-on activities.
Switching to This?
The publisher does not offer a formal placement test because the curriculum is organized by age-appropriate developmental stages rather than a strict sequence of mathematical skills. Parents should simply start with the module that matches their child’s current grade level, as each level is designed to stand alone. Because the units are modular and self-contained, families can easily start mid-year or use the program as a supplemental summer course without feeling behind. If you are moving from a traditional consumer math program, expect a shift away from manual ledger balancing toward deeper discussions on mindset, efficiency, and long-term wealth building.
Curriculum Details
- Price
- $0
- Grades
- K - 12
- Available As
- Digital Video Workbook
- Coverage
- Single subject
- Pacing
- Self-paced
- Parent Time
- 10-30 min/day
- Parent Involvement
- Minimal
- Student Independence
- Semi-independent
- Academic Level
- Grade level
- Worldview
- Neutral
- Teach Multiple Ages
- Yes
- Engaging for Reluctant Learners
- Yes
The curriculum is provided entirely for free by the ChooseFI Foundation nonprofit.
Videos
Getting Started Teaching the ChooseFI Personal Finance Curriculum in Your High School Classroom
by ChooseFI International Foundation
Reviews We Consulted
Recommends the program for middle school students, praising its practical focus on budgeting and its ability to help children see how current spending affects future goals.
"Choose Fi provides a full K–12 curriculum, including around 50 free lessons suitable for middle school. The lessons focus on budgeting, saving, and understanding how money decisions affect long-term goals."
Highlights the curriculum as an easy-to-use secular resource that is highly adaptable for different skill levels through its built-in scaffolding and enrichment opportunities.
"The curriculum is totally free, easy to implement, and easy to adapt. Each unit includes ways to provide additional support and scaffolding, as well as extension and enrichment opportunities, for PreK-12 students."
Updated: March 2026
How This Compares
Compared to Dave Ramsey’s Foundations in Personal Finance, ChooseFI is a free resource that focuses more on the 'FIRE' philosophy of early investing and lifestyle design rather than just debt avoidance. When weighed against traditional textbooks like BJU Press Consumer Math, ChooseFI is much more modern and digital, prioritizing the psychology of spending over manual tax and interest calculations. Parents choosing between ChooseFI and MoneyTrail will find that while MoneyTrail serves as a bank simulation for chores, ChooseFI provides a structured academic framework that explains the logic and critical thinking behind financial independence.
Getting Started
Purchase
This is the primary gateway to access the full Pre-K through 12th grade financial literacy lessons at no cost.
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