Your solution should focus on education, accessibility, and empowerment. How can you help young people develop the knowledge and confidence to make informed financial decisions when their income comes from entrepreneurship, freelancing, side hustles, content creation, or other nontraditional sources? How can you make learning about budgeting, saving, taxes, and financial planning engaging, relevant, and practical for youth?
As the world of work continues to evolve, many young people are earning money in ways that don’t follow a traditional paycheck. Building an inclusive and resilient future means ensuring that all youth have access to the financial literacy skills needed to navigate these opportunities confidently and responsibly. When young people understand how to manage irregular income, prepare for taxes, plan for future goals, and make informed financial decisions, they are better equipped to create opportunities for themselves and contribute to stronger communities.
When designing your solution, start by thinking about the young people you are trying to serve. Not every student has access to a smartphone, reliable internet, a bank account, transportation, or financial education resources. Some may live in rural communities, while others may face barriers related to cost, language, or access to trusted guidance. The strongest solutions meet youth where they are and consider the real-world challenges they face. Your solution does not need to be an app or a piece of technology—it could be a program, service, toolkit, learning experience, community initiative, product, or something entirely new.
As you develop your idea, consider:
| Understanding the Challenge | Explore how young people earn money today through entrepreneurship, freelancing, gig work, content creation, part-time jobs, and other nontraditional pathways. What financial skills do they need to successfully manage irregular income, save for future goals, prepare for taxes, and make informed financial decisions? |
| Research the Needs | Talk to students, educators, families, and community members. What financial challenges do youth face? What barriers might limit access to financial education, such as technology, internet connectivity, transportation, language, or access to financial institutions? What resources already exist, and where are the gaps? |
| Brainstorm Meaningful Solutions | Think beyond apps and websites. Consider programs, services, community initiatives, learning experiences, physical tools, peer networks, workshops, games, or other creative approaches. What type of solution would have the greatest impact on the young people you want to serve? |
| Design with Accessibility in Mind | Create a solution that is practical, inclusive, and easy to use. How will it reach youth in underserved or rural communities? How will it support young people with different levels of financial knowledge, technology access, and learning styles? |
| Build Skills and Confidence | Consider how your solution will help youth develop financial literacy, critical thinking, and decision-making skills. How will it help them budget, save, understand taxes, plan ahead, and make responsible choices about their money? |
| Plan for Impact | How will you know your solution is making a difference? Think about how you could measure success, gather feedback, and ensure your solution continues to help young people build financial confidence over time. |
Many young people earn money in ways that don’t provide a predictable paycheck. Whether through entrepreneurship, freelance work, seasonal jobs, or family businesses, these income sources can vary from week to week or month to month. Understanding these types of irregular income is an important first step in developing the financial skills needed to plan, budget, and make informed decisions.
Real-world examples include:
"EverBank is proud to partner with NFTE and support the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs. Investing in the success of young people is an investment in the future of our communities. We are inspired by the creativity, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit these students bring to the competition, and we are honored to celebrate their achievements.”
