To me, wealth means having options. It is not just about how much money you have, but about the freedom that money gives you. Freedom to choose where you live, what work you do, who you spend time with, and what risks you are willing to take. Wealth is the ability to make decisions based on what you want, not what you are forced to do. It also means security. Knowing that an emergency, a job loss, or an unexpected expense would not completely derail your life brings a level of peace that is hard to put a price on. At the same time, I think wealth is time. Having control over your schedule and not feeling like every hour of your day belongs to someone else is a huge form of wealth. So for me, wealth is freedom, security, and time more than just a number in a bank account.

I would encourage students to think about saving and building wealth as something small and automatic, not something you do later when you “have more money.” The biggest mindset shift is realizing you do not need a lot of money to start. Even setting aside a small amount each month builds the habit, and the habit is what really matters. Once it becomes normal to save first and spend what is left, you stop feeling like you are forcing yourself to be disciplined. I would also show them how time does most of the work. Seeing how money grows over 10, 20, or 30 years makes it clear that starting early with small amounts is more powerful than trying to save large amounts later. That visual really changes how you think about your choices now. Another thing is helping students connect today’s decisions to future freedom. Saving is not just about having money. It is about having options later in life. Being able to choose where you live, what job you take, or whether you can take risks comes from the financial foundation you build early. Finally, I would emphasize making it simple. Set up automatic transfers to savings or an investment account, pick straightforward options like broad index funds, and avoid overcomplicating it. The easier the system, the more likely you are to stick with it long term.

I think every student should understand the basics that actually affect your life right after college, not the complicated stuff people make finance sound like. First, how credit works. Your credit score impacts where you can live, what car you can buy, and even some jobs. Knowing to never miss a payment and to keep your credit utilization low is huge and most people only learn this after they mess it up. Second, budgeting in a realistic way. Not some extreme spreadsheet, but just knowing where your money goes each month and understanding the difference between fixed expenses and random spending. That awareness alone changes how you make decisions. Third, compound interest. Starting to invest small amounts early is way more powerful than trying to save a lot later. Time matters more than the amount, and most students underestimate how big of a difference this makes. Finally, understanding student loans and interest. A lot of people borrow money without really knowing how much they will end up paying back. Knowing how interest accumulates and how repayment works can save you thousands. These are the kinds of personal finance basics that have long term impact but are rarely taught directly.