To me, wealth means freedom and optionality. It is the ability to make decisions based on what I value, not just what I can afford in the short term. Wealth is having enough financial security to handle unexpected events and choose opportunities that align with long-term goals rather than immediate pressure.

I would encourage students to treat saving like a fixed expense, not something they do with whatever is left over. Set up automatic transfers the day you get paid, even if it is only 5 to 10 percent. Start small but stay consistent. I would show them simple numbers: investing $300 a month starting at 22 can turn into hundreds of thousands by retirement, while waiting 10 years cuts that result dramatically. Seeing the math makes it real. I would also push students to avoid high-interest debt at all costs and to build a three to six month emergency fund before investing aggressively. Once that foundation is set, I would encourage low-cost index funds and long-term investing instead of trying to trade. The goal is not to get rich quickly. It is to build habits that steadily increase net worth over time.

Every student should understand how to manage money in practical terms. That means knowing how to live within their means, avoid high-interest debt, and build a simple budget based on real expenses. They should understand compound interest and why starting to save early creates long-term advantages. Basic knowledge of credit scores, emergency savings, retirement accounts, and insurance is also essential because these directly affect financial stability after graduation. Financial literacy is not just about investing. It is about making informed decisions that create security and flexibility early in life.