MasterCard is committed to providing value-added educational information about responsible credit and money management designed to help young people manage credit responsibly and achieve their personal and financial goals.

Research conducted among students and teachers by MasterCard and other independent organizations indicates that there is a clear need for personal money management education among high school and college students. Most students have a limited knowledge of how to handle money and, in fact, 94 to 96 percent of both college and high school students felt that a money management program should be included in the high school curriculum. In response, MasterCard created the "Master Your Future" program.

What is "Master Your Future -- Second Edition"?

"Master Your Future -- Second Edition" is an all-new version of the original award winning "Master Your Future" program released in 1993 that is now being used by over 30,000 teachers nationwide.

Program Description

This video-based educational program was originally created by MasterCard International to help teens establish the financial habits and money management skills critical to their future. "Master Your Future - Second Edition" includes a 23 -minute video featuring real teens telling of their real life money management experiences. Featured are Ambar and Frank, two high school students faced with saving and budgeting for their senior prom; Chris, an 18-year old learning the challenges of managing his income from a part-time job; and Tariq, a recent high school graduate with an entrepreneurial spirit who is off to college to live on her own for the first time. Supporting the video is a 26-page teacher's guide, student activity sheets and a classroom poster.

Program Objectives

"Master Your Future - Second Edition" takes a positive approach to the opportunities open to young people when they learn to manage themselves and their finances properly. By presenting real teens facing real life money management challenges, the program is designed to motivate students to develop a better understanding of…

...the importance of budgeting;

...the role of checking and savings accounts, along with many of the "new" technological financial tools;

...the concept of credit and, most important, the value of a good credit history.

MasterCard also wishes to inspire young people to think seriously about the future, and how to prepare themselves to be successful at all levels. "Master Your Future - Second Edition" will be welcomed for use by high school teachers in the areas of career guidance, economics/business, family and consumer science, math, and social studies.

The Response to "Master Your Future"

Winning numerous education and video production awards,the original "Master Your Future" has reached over 20,000 high schools with a cumulative audience of over 17 million viewers. A survey conducted with teachers who used the program in their classrooms showed that 95 percent of these teachers rated the program as good or excellent; 90 percent of their students gave the program a similar rating, and 92 percent felt the program succeeded in encouraging students to take greater financial responsibility.

How to Order "Master Your Future -- Second Edition"

"Master Your Future" is being distributed free of charge by Video Placement Worldwide (VPW). Click here to go to the VPW Homepage and order forms.

To get more valuable information, and learn more about MasterCard International, please visit our Web site at www.mastercard.com.