Richard Entenmann of Asset Builders spoke on the need for teaching financial literacy to both adults and students. For adults surveyed, less than half could pass basic questions on financial decisions. The best way to measure financial success is by net worth not income, yet few surveyed knew how to increase net worth. Personal Savings Rate (personal savings divided by disposable personal income) was at a low of 4.1% for August 2026. Less savings has long term financial implications. More than half of Wisconsin residents live paycheck to paycheck. Forty-seven percent of Wisconsin residents do not have emergency savings to cover three months of expenses. Many do not know how a low credit score impacts their purchasing interest rates. Even employers who run a financially successful company but have employees who have low financial literacy are impacted by employees who are constantly under financial stress. Fifty percent of low-wage employees use 5 work hours per month on personal financial problems.

In response to this need, Wisconsin (and several other states), passed the 2025 Act 223 which requires public schools and independent charter schools (but not religious or private schools) to teach financial literacy as a requirement for high school graduation.

Although school districts develop and teach their own financial curriculum, Richard Entenmann’s company is helping provide special programs that can be used as add-on instruction in schools. Asset Builders was a 2026 Madison South Rotary Foundation grant recipient to present a program at Edgewood School. Asset Builders also hosts the successful Finance and Investment Challenge Bowl for high school students. Asset Builders (based in Madison) is a 501(c)3 whose mission is to increase financial literacy for low- and moderate-income families. For more information go to www.assetbuilders.org