Episode 75: Class Clown to Wealth Wizard: Making Financial Literacy Fun for All Ages

What if financial literacy was taught through storytelling instead of dry textbooks?

Meet Jia Rastogi – teen author, entrepreneur, and finalist for Teen Entrepreneur of the Year 2024. In this inspiring episode, Jia shares how she turned her knowledge of money, business, and real estate into a bestselling book Class Clown to Wealth Wizard – written to make financial literacy accessible to everyone, especially young Australians.

We talk about:

➡️ Why traditional education often fails to teach financial independence

➡️ How real-world experience helped Jia write her book

➡️ The power of storytelling in teaching money management

➡️ Tips for teens and adults wanting to start a business or invest in property

➡️ The importance of mentorship, support systems, and starting before you're ready

💡 Whether you’re a student, parent, teacher or lifelong learner, this episode proves that you're never too young (or too old) to take charge of your financial future.

✨ KEY TAKEAWAYS

📚 Storytelling Makes Money Make Sense

Jia’s book blends fiction and finance by following “Sam,” a former class clown who surprises his peers with unexpected wealth 20 years later.

🧠 Financial Literacy Is for Everyone

Whether you’re a teen or adult, it’s not too late to learn the basics:

✔ Compounding

✔ Pyramiding

✔ Leveraging

✔ Building your financial team (accountants, brokers, mentors)

👥 Surround Yourself with Smarter People

Jia’s biggest lesson? Don’t be afraid to ask for help. She shares how feedback from financial advisors helped shape her book—and her mindset.

📖 Books Don’t Need to Be Boring

Her mission is to simplify money talk for her generation—and beyond.

🎓 Education ≠ Just School

While she’s focused on Year 12, Jia also runs a business with her sister, speaks at expos, and is already planning her future in business and digital marketing.

📣 WHO THIS EPISODE IS FOR

✅ Young adults and teens who want to learn about money

✅ Parents looking for empowering resources for their kids

✅ Educators wanting to make finance more relatable

✅ Anyone feeling “behind” when it comes to money and wealth

📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED

🛒 Class Clown to Wealth Wizard – Order a signed copy:

👉 https://classclowntowealthwizard.com/

📖 Rich Dad Poor Dad – Robert Kiyosaki

📖 The Barefoot Investor – Scott Pape

📖 The Millionaire Next Door – Thomas J. Stanley

📲 CONNECT WITH JIA RASTOGI

🔗 Website: https://classclowntowealthwizard.com/

📷 Instagram: @classclowntowealthwizard

📘 Facebook: Jia Rastogi

🔗 LinkedIn: Jia Rastogi

🎧 FOLLOW & SUBSCRIBE

💛 Love this episode? Subscribe and follow for more uplifting conversations about mindset, money, and personal growth.

📲 Instagram: @thriveandshineco

🎧 Podcast: @inspired_to_thrive_podcast

🌎 Inspired to Thrive and Shine Podcast

🗣 JOIN THE CONVERSATION

Have you read Jia’s book or started your own financial journey?

Share in the comments 👇 or DM us on Instagram!

#FinancialLiteracy #TeenEntrepreneur #MoneyMindset #YoungInvestor #InspiredToThrive #Storytelling #PersonalFinance #FinancialFreedom #SelfDevelopment #InvestingForBeginners #YouthEmpowerment #FemaleFounder #SideHustle #StartYoung