OUR PROGRAMS
Five buckets for lifelong financial wellness
Our workshops move through five areas of practice — from mindset to protection — with activities, reflection, and tools learners can use right away.
Available for youth (ages 12-24) and adults, in person or virtually.
How We Teach
Learning together, in community
Every workshop is led by trained facilitators and volunteers using our learner-friendly framework for financial wellness.
Most often a 3-part or 6-part series — with single sessions and other formats available when needed.
Typically 60–75 minutes each, with activities and guided conversation.
Youth ages 12–24, and adults at every life stage.
In person at your site, or virtually — depending on location and availability.
THE CURRICULUM
The 5 Buckets Cycle™
Pick a bucket to see what we cover in our workshops.
Money Mindset
Your thoughts and feelings about money shape every financial decision you make (or don't make). This bucket helps us understand why mindset matters as we build a healthier relationship with money.
Together we reflect on the “money stories” we've inherited and notice how these stories show up in everyday behaviors — affecting our whole financial life.
- ✓The money stories we've inherited, and how they're shaping us today
- ✓The many parts and patterns of our relationship with money
- ✓Recognize–Regulate–Respond, a tool for upgrading our mindset
Managing Your Money
No one is born budgeting — it's a skill we build with practice, as we stay honest with ourselves and grounded in our finances.
Learners leave with habits and tools they can use right away to cover the essentials while building toward longer-term goals.
- ✓The basics of budgeting as a core practice for financial wellness
- ✓Recognizing the difference between needs and wants
- ✓Setting savings goals and practicing thoughtful spending
Borrowing Wisely
Borrowing can be a helpful tool when it’s used with intention. This bucket looks at how credit works and what it really costs.
Borrowing is a relationship, not just a transaction — one that asks for awareness, accountability, and follow-through. Trust grows through small actions over time.
- ✓The true cost of borrowing, and how debt can be used as a tool
- ✓How credit cards work — compounding interest and credit scores
- ✓Practical ways to borrow wisely and build credit over time
Growing Wealth
What does wealth mean to you? This bucket explores what we're building towards and how we can grow wealth over time.
Everyone is already investing in something. Together, we’ll develop an investor mindset that helps us recognize assets, invest with intention, and create more opportunities for ourselves and our communities.
- ✓The value of both monetary and non-monetary assets
- ✓Practical strategies to budget, save, invest, and grow your money over time — starting right where you are
- ✓Tools that can help you build lasting financial security
Protecting What You Value
Life comes with risk and uncertainty — that's part of being human. This bucket helps us name what we value, accept where we're vulnerable, and receive protection over time.
Protection isn’t only financial. Mindset, adaptability, and community are part of resilience too.
- ✓Real-life risks: unexpected expenses, illness, scams, inflation
- ✓Emergency savings, insurance, fraud awareness, diversification
- ✓Building resilience through mindset, community, and planning
Our Impact
Learners leave thinking and doing something different
highly recommend our workshops
report a better understanding of money
more positive financial behaviors after a workshop
80% of our learners come from underserved and underrepresented backgrounds.
Who We Partner With
We bring the workshops to you
We partner with you to make practical financial wellness education accessible to the people you serve.
Schools & colleges
High schools and college-access programs — in the classroom, over the summer, and after school.
Youth nonprofits
Bring practical financial wellness education to the young people you already serve.
Community organizations
Employers
Invest in your team’s financial well-being and help employees make the most of every paycheck.
Lasting Impact
Trusted by the partners we serve
“Your presentations are the gold standard — engaging, informative and at the right level.”
“5 Buckets has made me feel more comfortable with my relationship with money.”
“I really liked learning about things I probably wasn’t going to learn from school.”
Common Questions
Things you might be wondering
The programs
Who are the workshops for?
Youth ages 12 and up, and adults at every life stage. We serve learners through schools, nonprofits, community organizations, and companies — and adapt our delivery to connect with the group in the room.
How long is a series?
Each session typically runs 60–75 minutes. While most partners choose a 3-part or 6-part series, we’re open to adapting the program format to meet your community's needs. We also offer occasional single-session workshops.
Can you deliver in person and virtually?
Yes. We offer programs both in person and virtually. We regularly deliver in-person workshops throughout the San Francisco Bay Area, and every program can also be facilitated live over Zoom. Our activities work well either way.
We may also be able to travel outside the Bay Area depending on your location, program needs, facilitator availability, and travel costs.
Are your programs available in other languages?
Our materials are also available in Spanish and Chinese. If language access matters for your group, let us know when you reach out and we’ll talk through what’s possible.
In the sessions
Who leads the workshops?
Trained facilitators and volunteers, using The 5 Buckets Cycle™ — our learner-friendly framework for developing the practice of lifelong financial wellness. Our facilitation style is engaging, empathetic, and encouraging.
Do learners take anything home?
Yes. Each session comes with worksheets and simple take-home tools — budget templates, reflection prompts, and reference guides — so learners can keep practicing after the workshop ends.
Do you offer one-on-one financial counseling?
Our workshops are designed for groups, as some of the most powerful learning happens when we face money together — not alone. We don't provide one-on-one counseling or individual financial advice. 5 Buckets is educational only; we don't sell or promote any financial products or services.
Working together
What does a program cost?
Our programs are funded through a mix of partner contributions, grants, sponsorships, and individual giving. We prioritize accessibility for the communities that need it most, and we’ll talk through an approach that works for your budget.
How do we bring a workshop to our community?
Reach out through our contact page and tell us a little about your group. We’ll follow up to discuss format, scheduling, and what would help your learners most.
Do you offer staff training or curriculum licensing?
Yes. For partners looking to build internal capacity, we offer our Talking About Money Facilitator Training and Curriculum License pathway — designed to equip your staff to deliver 5 Buckets programming directly. Reach out through our contact page to learn more.
How do I volunteer or become a facilitator?
We’re always looking to connect with people who want to teach and learn alongside us. If you’re interested in volunteering or facilitating with 5 Buckets, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out through our contact page to tell us about yourself and your interest in financial education.
Let’s connect
Bring the 5 Buckets to your community
Tell us about your group and we’ll help you find the right format — a single session, a 3-part series, or the full six.
Request a workshop