Budgeting, Saving, Investing: The Financial Education You Never Got in School | Ep. 48

Most of us enter adulthood without the financial education we actually need. In this episode, Christy speaks with Joey Belsanti, Founder of Twelve Points Academy, about the financial literacy crisis and the movement he is building to change it.

You will learn how to align money with your values, why taking action matters more than inspiration, and what young adults should understand about credit, debt, and early investing. They also explore the rise of sports betting, the impact of NIL money, and how real world experience can set students apart.

Today’s Takeaways

1. From Wall Street Journal to Real-World Action While interning at a wealth management firm during college, Joey read about America's financial literacy crisis and thought: "Why aren't we doing something?" So he launched Twelve Points Academy to teach the money skills that schools won't, proving you don't have to wait until you're older to create massive impact.
2. Values First, Money Second Joey's breakthrough approach flips traditional finance education: Start with YOUR values (family, independence, creativity), then set goals that matter to you, THEN build the money plan. When you know staying near family in Boston matters most, suddenly skipping that $100 sports bet becomes an easy choice, you're investing in what you actually care about.
3. Implementation Beats Inspiration Every Time Joey lives by this quote: "The difference between inspiration and transformation is implementation." Watching motivational videos won't build wealth—opening that high-yield savings account will. Action > everything.
4. Sports Betting is the New Trap It's literally everywhere: ESPN has its own sportsbook, games sync with betting apps, and ads hit every commercial break. Joey's seeing college guys gamble with credit cards and put food delivery on payment plans. The house always wins, and Gen Z is the target.
5. Your Credit Score is a Silent Tax Here's the shocking math: In Massachusetts, a 600 credit score vs. an 800 can cost you $8,000+ MORE per year on the same mortgage. That's a luxury car payment—just vanishing because nobody taught you to build credit early.
6. Chapters = Startups You Actually Run Joey designed Twelve Points Academy chapters as real companies: President (CEO), Chief Marketing Officer, Events Chair, Fundraising. You build a full portfolio, learn P&L, recruit members, and market to your campus—then show employers "I ran a organization that impacted 500+ students." That's the experience that gets you hired.
7. NIL Athletes Need This Yesterday College athletes are suddenly making millions at 19 with zero financial education. Joey's athlete track covers taxes, investing, and the reality that one injury ends it all. "The ball stops dribbling for everyone"—what's your plan for life after sports?
8. Schools Are Failing Us (But It's Changing) Less than half of U.S. states require financial education, and even where it exists, it's often just a PowerPoint. Joey's working to change that, partnering with universities to make real financial literacy and professional development standard, not optional.
9. Start Early = Unlock Superpowers

   Compound interest is basically magic, but only if you start NOW. Joey teaches college students: that employer 401(k) match is free money, high-yield savings accounts beat checking accounts, and small moves at 20 create massive wins by 30. Time is your biggest advantage—use it.

10. The Vision: 1,000 Chapters, One Generation Changed Joey's not playing small: 5 chapters now, 50 in 5 years, 1,000 in 10 years. His mission? Forge a generation of financially literate, unstoppable leaders who teach their families, communities, and eventually their own kids. One chapter, one student, one conversation at a time—breaking generational cycles of financial stress.

Find Joey Belsanti

LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/joey-belsanti-33976b230 Website: https://www.twelvepointsacademy.org/ 

Stay Connected with Productive Passions

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