Jagpreet knows the quickest way to put a 20-something to sleep is to say words like "inflation", "cost of living" and "indexation".
"There needs to be a way to make [finances] as intriguing as possible," he said.
"You put it into their perspective, otherwise they think they're getting a lecture."
Financial coach and podcaster Victoria Devine agrees.
"It's asking them what they want their life to look like, how do you want to live, and how do you get there," she said.
"When I was growing up it was a boring topic, it was for men, it wasn't for me, and my earliest memory of financial literacy being taught to me was those school banking programmes."
Australian Securities and Investment Commission (ASIC) research found that 82 per cent of Australia's Generation Z — Gen Z — feel financially stressed.
Gen Z refers to people currently aged 18 to 26 years old.
This cohort is twice as likely as other generations to want to better manage their finances in response to the cost of living crisis.
Jagpreet, a 26-year-old accountant from regional Victoria, hopes he can help with a program called Money for the Young, tailored to school students and young adults and their burning questions about money.
He wants to work with local government to expand the programme.
"They might understand maths and science and political affairs, but not a lot of basic things when you talk about your contribution to government funding and super.
"Students ask about where their taxes go, superannuation, how to save, how does it all work, how can you pick superannuation," he said.
"The kids are quite intrigued."
High levels of financial stress
"We are concerned about the level of stress people are experiencing and the way young women are more likely to experience the stress than young men," ASIC CEO Warren Day said.
"Gen Z has higher levels of debts and lower levels of savings."
Mr Day said this is due to higher cost of living pressures, student debt, social media and buy-now, pay-later products.
The survey found Gen Z is more likely to have a buy-now, pay-later debt (28 per cent) than other generations (21 per cent).
Australian Tax Office data also showed Gen Z's student debt is much higher than that of previous generations.
Between 2005 and 2006, Australia's total incurred Higher Education Contribution Scheme debt was just over $17 million.
Between 2022 and 2023 it was over $110 million.
Mr Day said there are also major concerns about where young people are getting their financial information from.
"Social media is their top source for financial information and they are twice as likely as other generations to rely on social media for information and guidance about managing their finances," he said.
He said there are dangers in taking advice from "Finfluencers" — people online who give information and advice on financial topics like stock market trading and personal finance.
"We're worried about [the] trustworthiness of this and the way people think there are get-rich-quick tips," he said.
Jagpreet agrees.
"In fact, they shouldn't be listening to these people at all," he said.
"There's often a hidden agenda such as commercial interest."
Mr Day said he was concerned about low levels of savings.
"One in four (25 per cent) have less than $1,000 in personal savings," Mr Day said.
"Now, they're young, they're not meant to be super rich. But there are ways on ASIC's site to start saving more and getting that rainy day emergency fund."
One tip is to make sure savers are earning high interest for whatever savings they do have in their accounts.
"That's another way to get that accumulative return over time."
Jagpreet said looking at your bank statement every few months is a great way to be aware of where the money is going.
He also recommends using cash where appropriate to cut down on bank card surcharge fees.
More education needed in schools and at home
Schools also have a role to play in a young person's financial literacy he said, suggesting there could be abetter curriculum on personal finance.
"It's a bit of a shame you're not equipping them with the need of the hour, they teach them high-level stuff but not stuff they will use in their life," he said.
A young person's relationship with money begins in the home, Ms Devine said.
"Every time when I talk to someone, they will talk about their upbringing around money but will say quite elusive things because they were never privy to their parents' financial discussions," she said.
"I'm not saying bombard your kids with information so they feel guilty, but I think getting them involved in budgeting, even a small part of it, like groceries.
"Once you teach them, they're empowered and willing to make compromises."
There's also an emotional aspect of saving.
"I think we need to get children to understand that money [and spending] is inherently behavioural," she said.
"If it was pragmatic, we'd all be good at budgeting and cash flow."
She advises people to identify why they spend money in certain ways to better understand personal spending habits.
"Have a think about what your values are when it comes to money so that you can budget appropriately and realistically," she said.
"By identifying those things that you value spending money on, it makes it easier to then rank the things that perhaps aren't as important, so you can rid them from your budget."
Mr Day wants young people to know it's never too late to regain financial control.
"It's like health, we all know if there's small simple things you can do for health then you'll see a change."
Moneysmart has resources on its website to assist with budgeting, saving and easing financial stress.
"It's not going to be instant, but there are small steps to get there."
The ABC's Trailblazers program provides a platform for individuals and groups of up to three working on projects to make regional Australia a better place.
Winners receive media support, networking and mentorship opportunities and an all-expenses-paid trip to Canberra.
If you would like to find out more about the next Trailblazers intake, go to the ABC Heywire website.
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