For many young people, managing money can feel overwhelming, especially if you’re navigating additional challenges like living with a disability or learning how to honor cultural traditions alongside modern financial systems. Luckily, there are free, accessible resources designed specifically for you.
Why Financial Literacy Matters
Financial literacy isn’t just about saving and spending; it’s about feeling empowered and confident in your ability to make decisions that work for your life. Whether you’re opening your first bank account, applying for a credit card, or trying to create a personal budget, having the right knowledge can make all the difference.
This is where Money Talks comes in.
What are Money Talks?
Money Talks: How to Take Care of Your Money is a pair of booklets created by Abilities magazine and the Canadian Abilities Foundation. These booklets are tailored to help youth with disabilities and Indigenous youth develop practical money management skills with sensitivity to their unique experiences.
Who is it for?
- Youth with disabilities
- Indigenous youth
- Educators and allies who support young people
- Anyone interested in culturally inclusive, accessible financial literacy
And best of all it’s free to access.
What You’ll Learn
The two booklets are self-paced and easy to follow, offering both basic and advanced strategies. By reading them, you can expect to:
- Learn how to budget and manage your personal finances effectively.
- Understand how credit cards, loans, and other financial tools work.
- Explore Indigenous traditions and principles as they relate to money and community.
- Gain confidence navigating financial systems with a disability.
These booklets are a practical, empowering starting point no matter where you are on your financial journey.
How to Get Started
You can download the booklets here:
There’s no set schedule or time commitment, just read through them at your own pace.
About the Organization
These resources are published by Abilities magazine, which serves a cross-disability network across Canada. Their mission is to advocate for diversity, equity, inclusion, and accommodation while offering useful information for Canadians of all ages living with disabilities.
Additional Resources for Financial Empowerment
Here are more free tools and programs that can help you take control of your finances:
- Indigenous Financial Wellness Resources
- First Nations Development Institute – Provides culturally relevant financial education materials
- Youth Disability Financial Supports
- RDSP (Registered Disability Savings Plan) Information – Learn how to save long-term with government contributions
- Planned Lifetime Advocacy Network (PLAN) – Offers workshops and resources for families planning financial futures for youth with disabilities
- Financial Literacy for Everyone
- Smart About Money – Free online courses and tools for building financial skills
- ABC Life Literacy Canada – Programs and tip sheets designed to make financial education easy and accessible
Final Thoughts
Everyone deserves to feel confident managing their money, and with the right tools, it’s absolutely possible. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your understanding, the Money Talks booklets can help you take control of your finances in a way that respects who you are and what matters to you.
Take the first step toward financial empowerment today!
