Summary:

At Earn Your Freedom, we are addressing the devastating lack of financial literacy, a critical life skill overlooked in traditional education systems. Our engaging video game, Money Quest, makes learning about personal finance and economics fun and accessible. This imbues users with control of their financial future, breaking the cycle of financial ignorance and fostering economic independence.

Money Quest, provides users with an in-depth overview of all things personal finance, from budgeting, investing, index funds, real estate, and more. There are countless benefits to gamification, including enhanced motivation, engagement, and a 25% improvement in learning outcomes compared to traditional education. By structuring partnerships with other institutes across Texas, we can broaden our reach and deepen our impact allowing users to take control of their financial futures.

Context: 

Here's the thing, America's got a huge problem - we're pretty bad at money. According to Time, two-thirds of us - that's about 221 million people - aren't financially literate. That's a whole lot of folks who are losing big bucks, to the tune of hundreds of billions of dollars each year, all because managing money can be tricky. And this problem hits minority communities the hardest, keeping generations stuck in a cycle of money confusion that blocks their path to economic progress. And, guess what? Our education system hasn't been too keen on teaching us about dollars and cents. That's the messy problem we're fired up to tackle. Financial literacy shapes more than just your wallet - it reaches into every corner of your life, influencing your health, relationships, and beyond.

Project Progress:

Nov 2023 Update: During the Fall semester of 2023, our founder, Grant, dedicated his time to educating young minds in the field of video game development. He shared his knowledge with students at HISD's Sugar Grove Academy and Roy P. Benavidez Elementary School. Additionally, he actively engaged in after-school financial literacy clubs at TUFF Kids in Cleveland, TX, and YES Prep West. As part of this endeavor, Grant had the opportunity to test our game at these educational institutions, ensuring its effectiveness and engagement among the students. We've received exceptional results and invaluable feedback, which have significantly contributed to enhancing the game. Our program covers a wide range of financial topics, from index funds and real estate to the intricate connection between money and relationships. This semester has been a journey of growth and learning, and as a result, we are now strategizing to expand our program statewide.

Here is our timeline with key milestones to achieve over the next year.

Project Purpose:

EYF is more than a company, it's a personal mission born out of our passion for promoting financial freedom and security. It all began with our founder, Grant, looking to solve his own financial struggles. Buried in student loans, drowning in credit card debt, and living paycheck to paycheck, just like 70% of Americans, he understood the urgent need for change.

Our unwavering mission is to create a comprehensive financial education program that addresses the gaps we personally experienced growing up. We are dedicated to assisting the next generation in avoiding the financial challenges and pitfalls we encountered along our journey. We firmly believe that everyone should possess the knowledge and skills necessary for making sound financial decisions, a crucial aspect often overlooked by our education system.

Our own encounters with financial illiteracy fuel our determination to enact real change. Through Money Quest, we aim to provide engaging and accessible financial education, ultimately empowering individuals to break free from the cycle of financial hardships and create brighter futures for themselves and their communities.

Throughout this semester, our efforts have been resounding successes. We've been actively involved in teaching at HISD, managing two after-school clubs, and conducting numerous workshops in collaboration with partners like Houston Community College and KatyISD. As we look ahead to the coming year, we aspire to achieve even greater milestones. However, we can't do it alone. We need your support to raise funds that will enable us to expand this program statewide.

Your generous contributions will be allocated towards essential resources such as laptops, food, and other necessary expenses. With your help, we can ensure that every child across the state of Texas has access to a high-quality financial education, setting them on the path to financial empowerment and success.