Girl Math 101

When I first got interested in money and business, I had no idea where to start. Between confusing jargon, endless TikToks, and articles made for adults, it was hard to find resources that actually helped me learn. Now that I’ve spent a little more time exploring the world of finance, I thought I’d share some of the tools, channels, and accounts that helped me the most — especially as a student. Podcasts Planet Money (NPR) Super fun, easy to follow, and always creative. They explain things like inflation, the housing market, or cryptocurrency using stories, games, and real-world examples. You don’t need to be an econ expert to enjoy it. The Financial Confessions This one’s hosted by The Financial Diet. It’s more conversational and often features guests who talk honestly about money — from saving mistakes to side hustle tips. YouTube Channels Graham Stephan He’s a former real estate agent who talks about investing, budgeting, credit, and general financial advice in a way that’s easy to ...

So… What Is Inflation? You’ve probably heard adults talk about inflation on the news, in economics class, or maybe even at the grocery store. It’s one of those words that sounds complicated, but it’s something we all experience — yes, even as teenagers. In simple terms, inflation is the rise in prices over time. That bag of chips that cost $2 last year might be $2.29 now. A hoodie you had your eye on last fall could suddenly feel way out of budget. When prices increase but your money stays the same, you can’t buy as much — and that’s inflation in action. Why Does Inflation Happen? Inflation doesn’t have just one cause — it’s usually the result of several things happening in the economy. Some of the most common reasons include: Increased demand : Too many people want something, and there’s not enough of it. Supply issues : It becomes harder to make or deliver goods (like during global shortages). Rising production costs : Companies have to pay more for labor or materials, so they raise ...

When adults say stuff like “I need to build credit” or “my credit score dropped,” it might sound super confusing — like, is there a test I’m supposed to study for?? But credit isn’t as complicated as it seems, and it’s something you’ll want to understand before you turn 18. Let’s break it down. What is credit? Credit is basically a way to borrow money with the promise that you’ll pay it back later. When you use a credit card, take out a loan, or finance something like a phone, you’re using credit. Your ability to use credit depends on something called your credit score, which is like a grade for how well you handle money you borrow. Why does credit matter? Even though you might not be using credit yet, it will affect you big time in the future. Here’s how: Renting an apartment? Landlords check your credit. Buying a car? You’ll need good credit to get a loan with a low interest rate. Applying for jobs? Some employers even check credit history! Basically, the better your credit, the easi...

What Is the Stock Market, Really? When people say “the market is up” or “stocks are crashing,” what are they even talking about? Before I started learning about finance, I used to think the stock market was some mysterious place where rich adults just gambled with their money. But it's actually a lot simpler than that — and understanding it can help you start making smart money moves early. So, let’s break it down! What is the stock market? At its core, the stock market is a place where people buy and sell shares of companies. When you buy a stock, you're buying a small piece (a share) of that company — that means you’re technically part-owner. If the company does well, your stock can go up in value. If it struggles, it can go down. Investors use the market to grow their money over time by investing in companies they believe in. Why does it exist? The stock market exists to help companies raise money and investors build wealth. Companies sell shares to the public to get funding...