Young Voices for Financial Education: an interview with Jaden Kyung-Moon Bauch
“Kids these days.” – said by everyone who is not a kid, in every decade since the beginning of kids.
A funny thing has happened to me during the decades that I’ve been working on personal finance – both as a teacher and a learner – I’ve gotten older! And despite my youthful glow, I now know what curmudgeon means. Sigh. But over the years I have tried to push back against the notion that younger generations just don’t understand – anything – whether it’s clothing styles, language use, or money habits.
It turns out that folks of certain ages have been trying to explain the generation gap for a very long time.
“They [Young People] have exalted notions, because they have not been humbled by life or learned its necessary limitations; moreover, their hopeful disposition makes them think themselves equal to great things – and that means having exalted notions. They would always rather do noble deeds than useful ones: Their lives are regulated more by moral feeling than by reasoning – all their mistakes are in the direction of doing things excessively and vehemently. They overdo everything – they love too much, hate too much, and the same with everything else.”
Hinton, Kerouac, or Freud, you say? Nope, go back just a bit further.
Aristotle. Yes, 23 centuries ago Aristotle.
And examples of “Young People” doing amazing things, smart things, wise things, are all around us. This past fall I had the wonderful experience of teaching a personal finance course, Money Matters, at the Maine College of Art & Design (MECA&D), and along the way I got to work with one of these young stars, one who happens to be pursuing unicorn status as an artist and a personal finance expert.
I’d like to introduce Jaden Kyung-Moon Bauch, a current student at MECA&D and my TA for the Money Matters course this past semester. Jaden is 21 years old, will graduate from MECA&D in May with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with a Minor in Art and Entrepreneurship, has passed both the Securities Industry Essentials Exam and the Series 65 (Uniform Investment Adviser Law Exam), and has already learned as much about personal finance as almost anyone I know.
What was the moment or turning point that got you interested in personal finance?
In my sophomore year at MECA&D, I had to get a root canal, and I didn’t have dental insurance. The procedure cost over $4,000, and I simply didn’t have that kind of money. I remember when my checking account balance was negative $500. At the same time, my student loan balance kept climbing higher and higher, and I couldn’t see a financially stable future for myself after graduation. I felt like choosing a creative career meant I was destined to have less financial success than others. But I decided I wasn’t going to accept that. That’s when I started self-studying personal finance, and I realized that financial literacy wasn’t just a tool for managing money—it was a tool for regaining my confidence and taking control of my future. That realization led me to want to help others, especially artists, understand and achieve their own financial goals.
How has your increased financial education affected your college experience?
Without a doubt, increasing my financial education has significantly improved my college experience. Not only did I gain a passion and a mission, but having greater financial literacy ultimately allowed me to spend less money, make more money, and do more with it.
I also think people—especially those my age—underestimate how much financial stress weighs on their subconscious. Even if you’re not actively thinking about money, it still takes up space in your brain. But when you take control of your finances, gain confidence in your financial situation, and understand how money supports your life, a huge weight lifts off your shoulders—one you may not have even realized was there.
What are some financial challenges unique to working artists?
The biggest hurdle for artists isn’t just financial logistics such as accounting and retirement—it’s overcoming the starving artist narrative.
When you tell someone you want to be an artist, their first thought usually isn’t that you’ll be financially successful—they might even try to talk you out of it. Somewhere along the way, choosing a career in art became synonymous with choosing financial insecurity.
This mindset is incredibly discouraging. If all you ever hear is that you’re going to struggle or fail, it becomes that much harder to succeed. The starving artist narrative actively holds creative people back—not just from pursuing their financial goals, but sometimes from pursuing a creative career altogether. All too often, the stories that get amplified are those of artists who only found success after their death, artists who ended up homeless, or art school graduates who stopped making art entirely a decade later.
Have you had the chance at MECA&D to pass on some of what you’ve learned?
Yes! I’ve had many opportunities to do so. One example was, of course, in Money Matters, where I was able to cover certain classes and contribute support in areas where I had a specialized knowledge base. I also had the opportunity to speak to the Fine Art seniors— those in sculpture, painting, photography, and printmaking— focusing on budgeting, credit, and investing.
On another occasion, I gave a lecture to the entire freshman class about personal finance for artists. Most recently, my senior thesis focuses on equipping artists with the financial tools they need to thrive. As part of my thesis, I offer free financial coaching to artists and creative professionals, using those coaching sessions as inspiration for my paintings.
I also operate a resource on Instagram called The Financial Palette, which focuses on bite-sized finance and business tips for young creatives. My goal this year is to elevate this to the next level and expand beyond Instagram.
While working with you last semester, I noticed that your views on money and investing are “old school”. I think that’s a good thing. How did someone from your generation connect with those values?
It’s probably natural to develop those kinds of values when most of the finance books I’m reading are written by people four times my age—haha. I suppose you’re right, some of my beliefs are a bit old-school. I tend to favor simple strategies like passive investing and the three-fund portfolio. I also try to avoid finance discussions on social media unless they’re coming from qualified financial professionals because there’s a lot of misinformation out there, particularly around investing. So many people are just trying to sell day trading courses.
When it comes to investing and personal finance, you should stay with the times, but I don’t think you need to reinvent the wheel. Yes, you can be creative and tailor strategies to fit your unique situation, but that’s completely different from using approaches that have no quantitative backing.
I try to approach discussions about finance with those in my age group from a “modern” perspective because things are so different now compared to when our parents were our age. I focus more on mindset and developing strong financial habits—because I believe that’s the foundation of financial success, whatever that may look like for you.
What are your career goals?
Some people think I’m dreaming, but I have an elaborate plan for my career.
Within the next 2 years, I hope to complete the education requirements, pass the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) exam, and gain the necessary hours to earn my certification. From there, I’d like to spend three to five years working in the industry, gaining experience and expertise.
After that, my goal is to start my own financial services firm dedicated to serving creative professionals. I want it to go beyond just financial planning because there are so many other areas—like financial coaching, business planning, and tax preparation—that play a crucial role in a holistic financial strategy.
How do you see your art fitting into your professional life after college?
This question comes at a great time, as it’s something I’ve been thinking about a lot while navigating my thesis. I see art remaining a significant part of my life. I’ll continue attending gallery openings and staying engaged with the art world. However, when it comes to my own studio practice, I’m not entirely sure what that will look like long term.
There may come a time when I must choose between pursuing my dream of owning a financial services firm and being a practicing painter. While I love painting, I believe I can provide more value to the creative community through my financial expertise. However, in many ways, my art serves as a gateway to conversations about my mission. I especially enjoy projects where I can sell my work and use the proceeds to support artists.
Top personal finance advice for your generation?
1. Invest in yourself more than the average person.
2. Ultimately, your ability to be financially successful isn’t determined by your age, gender, race, career, or socioeconomic status—it’s determined by you.
Like I said, “Kids these days… are awesome.” Thank you, Jaden.
About the Author:
Steve has worked on financial literacy efforts in Maine since 2004, and in July 2023 he started at FAME as a Financial Education Programs Specialist. He has a B.S. in economics from Southern Connecticut State University, an MBA from the University of Hartford, and he has served as a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer.
In the fall of 2003, he started a 20-year connection to the Waynflete School in Portland, where he taught math and personal finance, advised middle and upper school students, and coached baseball. Steve worked with students to create the Finance Club and an award-winning LifeSmarts team (Nationals 2013, 2014, and 2015). In 2011, Steve coached a Waynflete team to victory in the Boston Federal Reserve Economics Cup Challenge.
Steve was named Maine Jump$tart Financial Educator of the Year for 2012, was the keynote speaker at the Maine Jump$tart Annual Teacher Conferences in 2015 and 2023, and was Maine Jump$tart’s training coordinator from 2017 to 2023.
Steve and his family moved to Seville, Spain in July 2016 where he taught English and business English and learned many new personal finance lessons. He now lives in Portland with his wife and their son.
