Did You Know?
Adam Smith, the economist often called the father of modern economics, once appeared on British currency. His portrait was printed on the Bank of England twenty-pound note from 2007 until the note was withdrawn in 2022, making him the first economist ever featured on UK money.
How to Get Started
Getting started as a future economist begins with curiosity about everyday choices: why things cost what they cost, why people make the decisions they make, and what happens when those choices add up across a whole community. From simple math games to real research projects, there are ways to build economic thinking at every age, well before college.
Explore the Basics
Start noticing prices at the grocery store or online and ask why some items cost more than others. Play simple trading or bartering games with friends or siblings to think about what makes a trade feel fair. Talking through an allowance and choosing between spending it now or saving it for something bigger is real economic thinking in action.
Try It Out
Set up a pretend store or lemonade stand and practice setting prices, making change, and tracking how much money comes in versus how much was spent on supplies. Keep a simple savings jar with labeled sections for spending, saving, and sharing. These small, low-cost activities build real number sense around money.
Join the Community
Visit a local farmers market or store and ask an adult how they decide what to charge for their products. Many libraries offer free financial literacy programs or money-themed board games for kids. Ask a teacher about classroom activities involving trading, budgeting, or simple economics games.