THE STORY BEHIND
THE MONEY JOURNAL
Meet the Founder
Giada Gatti
Student researcher
& storyteller
Hi, I’m Giada and I’m a high school student in New York City.
The Money Journal began with a question:
“How are teens supposed to understand money when nobody teaches us how?”
We graduate knowing the Pythagorean theorem but not how to file taxes. We can analyze Shakespeare but not a credit card statement. We memorize historical dates but never learn how inflation quietly erodes the money sitting in our savings accounts.
As a student interested in finance, economics, business, and social relevance, I founded this platform to explore the human side of money and to make this knowledge more accessible and digestible for other teens like me.
The Money Journal is not just another “how to be rich fast” course that you can buy on Instagram reels (those ones never actually work!) — Through accessible financial education, interviews, and research, this project will teach you everything you need to know about personal finance and how money influences the world around you.
started in 2026 →
methodology
How I do the research
Interviews. Every Local Legend feature begins with a conversation. We sit down with business owners, ask about their starting costs, their challenges, their financial decisions, and of course, their advice for the audience. (you!)
Research. Every article, analysis, and financial guide is built on credible sources and research. Complex information is simplified, contextualized, and translated into clear information that help teenagers understand where to start and why money matters. See the resources page for more information on our sources.
Mixed media. Because different topics require different mediums. Short-form financial literacy, small business interview documentaries, and long-form blog articles are organized on different platforms — so you can watch, read, and do.