Students Launch Phoenix Financial Literacy Program
Local seniors Sahil Aggarwal and Braden Shuster created Dollars and Decisions to teach teens about personal finance.
Updated on Oct. 13, 2026 in Financial Planning
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Phoenix Country Day School seniors Sahil Aggarwal and Braden Shuster have introduced a new financial literacy initiative called Dollars and Decisions. The program aims to improve understanding of saving, spending, and investing among teenagers throughout the Phoenix area.
Why it matters
The creators launched this initiative after identifying a critical gap in financial knowledge among local youth. By providing accessible education, the program seeks to equip the next generation with essential money management skills.
Dollars and Decisions has successfully scaled from its origin with the SWIFT Youth Foundation to four regional partner organizations. The program curriculum is currently implemented across the Boys & Girls Clubs, YMCA, Aspiring Youth Academy, and Roosevelt Plaza Apartments.
The players
Sahil Aggarwal
Sahil Aggarwal is a student at Phoenix Country Day School and a co-founder of the Dollars and Decisions program.
Braden Shuster
Braden Shuster attends Phoenix Country Day School and serves as a co-founder of the Dollars and Decisions financial literacy initiative.
The details
The curriculum utilizes interactive games inspired by The Game of Life and Jeopardy to engage participants in core financial concepts. These sessions focus on practical applications for saving money, budgeting, and long-term investing.
Timeline
The article was published on October 13, 2026.
Market Dynamics
This program fits into the broader trend of student-led community service initiatives emerging throughout the Phoenix metropolitan area. It reflects an increasing focus on grassroots solutions to address educational gaps in financial literacy among younger demographics.
The program provides a foundation for students to develop better long-term savings habits and investment knowledge. Families in the Phoenix area can contact the participating organizations to learn about enrollment opportunities for local teens.
The takeaway
Financial literacy remains a critical skill for long-term economic stability that is often missing from standard curricula. Implementing gamified learning strategies can effectively bridge this gap for students before they reach adulthood.
Further reading
For more information on managing personal wealth and educational resources, visit Financial Planning.
Source note: This article includes information reported by AZfamily.
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