What are the habits of financial management of young Brazilians? For more than half of them, the answer is: none. A survey conducted by the National Confederation of Retail Business Owners (CNDL) and the Credit Protection Service (SPC Brasil) revealed that 47% of Gen Z youth, aged 18 to 24, do not manage their finances.

In this context, financial education in schools emerges as a crucial element in the development of children and adolescents. According to Reinaldo Domingos, national president of the Brazilian Association of Financial Educators (ABEFIN) and president of the DSOP Group, introducing this type of learning from an early age can make a significant difference in young people’s lives.

"Financial education from an early age is one of the most effective tools for preparing a new generation to manage their finances in a healthy and responsible way," says Domingos. "By teaching concepts such as money, budgeting, mindful spending, and financial planning, children learn to make better financial choices throughout their lives, avoiding debt and fostering healthy habits, such as saving and planning for the future," he adds.

He highlights the DSOP methodology (Diagnose, Dream, Budget, and Save), which is used in various schools, as a practical and engaging approach to teaching finance. "DSOP goes beyond theory because it encourages young people to link the use of money to the fulfillment of their dreams, which motivates them to understand that money is a tool for achieving goals, not an end in itself," he explains. He believes this methodology helps combat impulsive behaviors, such as consumerism and the irresponsible use of credit, preparing young people for a more financially conscious and successful life.

Bruno Lewis, CEO of FORME—a financial education program—also highlights the importance of playful and engaging approaches for more effective financial education. He believes that teaching finance goes beyond numbers: it involves behavior and conscious choices. “When we teach children and teens about money in a fun and interactive way, we’re helping to shape a new generation that will adopt healthy financial habits,” he says. “By learning from an early age about the value of money, saving, and investing, they become better prepared for a prosperous and healthy future,” he adds.

Lewis illustrates how FORME’s methodology works, using FORME Play—a gamified app featuring cartoons and educational games. “Children explore a financial world full of challenges, where they learn, for example, to save to make their dreams come true or to manage a fictional budget in a fun way. We turn concepts like compound interest into adventures and mysteries to be solved,” he notes. For Lewis, this blend of knowledge and fun makes learning more natural and motivating.

Online Gambling and the Role of the Family

The growing popularity and easy access to online gambling—so-called “bets”—are a growing concern and have been attracting more and more teenagers, who fall victim to false promises of easy money. Experts explain that financial education in schools can also serve as a tool to raise awareness about these illusions.

"Financial education helps young people understand that gambling is not a form of investment or a source of extra income, but rather a high-risk activity. Financial education can clarify the difference between a true form of investment and a game of chance, explaining the risks and the actual probabilities of loss,” he warns. The president of ABEFIN emphasizes that financial education fosters more critical-thinking citizens who are better prepared to resist temptations that could lead them to harmful behaviors, such as gambling addiction.

Lewis emphasizes that the challenge lies in teaching young people that, in the financial world, there is no such thing as “easy money” without consequences, and that financial education helps them develop a critical perspective on these activities. “By learning about the value of money and the risks involved in activities such as gambling, young people become better equipped to recognize financial pitfalls and choose long-term strategies, rather than being lured by the illusion of getting rich quick,” he points out.

Domingos and Lewis also agree that educators and families play a key role in building a healthy relationship with money. “Both educators and families need to be on the same page to ensure that financial education is not viewed merely as academic content, but as an essential life skill. The partnership between schools and families is essential for creating a solid foundation for a more stable and financially responsible future for the next generations,” says Domingos.

He explains that educators are responsible for introducing these concepts in the early stages of a child’s school life and showing that financial education involves attitudes and behaviors that must be cultivated. “Families, on the other hand, are children’s first role models for financial behavior, and they can reinforce at home the value of making informed choices and the habit of saving for future goals,” he concludes.

The CEO of FORME emphasizes that the example set by educators and families is crucial; however, he acknowledges that the challenge is significant, since many adults in Brazil have not had access to financial education. “A survey by ABEFIN showed that 68% of teachers are in debt, and another survey by Data Popular indicated that 82% of consumers are unaware of bank interest rates on loans,” he explains.

To overcome this challenge, FORME offers pedagogical support and financial mentoring to teachers through the FORME Academy platform. “Educators need to transform their own reality in order to teach with conviction,” says Lewis. He also highlights the importance of family involvement in children’s learning. “We’ve noticed that students perform better when their families participate in the teaching process,” he adds.

According to Lewis, an integrated approach and the promotion of financial education both inside and outside the classroom help strengthen the school ecosystem, fostering lasting and impactful learning. He cites FORME’s methodology, which offers platforms for pedagogical support and financial mentoring to teachers, as well as free courses for families. “Our goal is for everyone—from children to the adults around them—to develop a healthy relationship with money,” he concludes. 

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