The Art of Money: How Stories Are Rewriting Financial Literacy

DES MOINES, Iowa – January 12, 2026 – In an era marked by economic uncertainty and a widening generational wealth gap, a unique initiative is using the ancient power of storytelling to tackle one of modern life’s greatest taboos: money. Principal Foundation today announced the winner of its third annual Money Chronicles: A Story Initiative, a national contest that is quickly becoming a vital cultural barometer for America's financial health.

Cincinnati author and librarian Cedric Rose took the top prize for his short story, "Trove." The piece explores the complexities of working-class survival and the critical gap between sudden wealth and the financial knowledge needed to sustain it. Rose’s win, alongside the recognition of 18 other finalists from New York to California, underscores the initiative's success in fostering a national dialogue on a topic many are reluctant to discuss.

"Each year, the stories we receive remind us just how deeply money shapes identity, belonging, and opportunity," said Jo Christine Miles, director of Principal Foundation and Community Relations at Principal Financial Group. "This year's collection poignantly explored how unequal access to financial resources, the unspoken rules people navigate around money, and the emotional work of pursuing stability all shape our confidence in handling finances."

A Narrative Cure for Financial Silence

The Money Chronicles initiative, launched in 2023, was born from a clear societal need. While financial literacy remains a challenge—with U.S. adults scoring an average of only 48% on recent literacy tests—the deeper issue is often cultural. A 2023 survey commissioned by the foundation found that 53% of Millennials and Gen Z Americans avoid money conversations out of awkwardness or fear of judgment. This silence perpetuates financial anxiety and prevents the sharing of crucial knowledge.

By inviting writers to submit personal stories about their financial lives, the contest transforms abstract economic data into relatable human experiences. Since its inception, over 600 writers have shared narratives touching on everything from generational debt and the immigrant experience to the emotional toll of inflation and the quiet triumph of building a savings account. These stories move beyond balance sheets and interest rates to explore the hope, fear, pride, and shame intrinsically linked to our finances.

This approach provides a powerful alternative to traditional financial education. Instead of lectures and pamphlets, it offers empathy and connection, allowing readers to see their own struggles and aspirations reflected in the lives of others. This narrative-driven model is proving to be a potent tool for destigmatization, creating a safer space for the open dialogue necessary for building collective financial well-being.

A Literary Mirror on Economic Realities

The themes emerging from the contest serve as a powerful reflection of contemporary American life. Rose's winning story, "Trove," directly confronts the harsh reality that possessing money is not the same as possessing financial security—a lesson resonant in a nation grappling with significant wealth inequality. Projections for 2025 show Baby Boomers holding over 50% of the nation's wealth, while Millennials and Gen Z combined hold just over 10%.

Stories from this year's finalists, including Tricia Vita’s "Money Apron Melody" from New York and Yolanda Wiggins' "What The Money Knows" from California, similarly offer windows into diverse economic landscapes. They give voice to the pressures of high inflation, which forced 12% of American workers to halt retirement savings in 2022, and the persistent challenge of navigating a system where access to opportunity is often unequal.

To further explore these topics, Principal Foundation will host a live virtual event on February 12. The discussion will feature renowned personal finance author and contest judge Paco de Leon alongside winner Cedric Rose. They will delve into the concept of financial confidence in America, using Rose’s story as a springboard to discuss the complex interplay of class, survival, and the difference between perceived and actual wealth. This public forum extends the contest's mission from the written page to active, community-wide conversation.

Innovative Philanthropy and Public Engagement

The success of Money Chronicles is also a case study in creative corporate philanthropy. Rather than relying solely on traditional grants, Principal Foundation has built a strategic coalition with experts in the literary world. The partnership with Short Édition, a global publishing house, provides the technological backbone for the contest, including its most innovative feature: Short Story Dispensers.

These distinctive kiosks, which print short stories on demand for free, are placed in high-traffic public spaces like libraries, bookstores, and community hubs across the country. Stories from the contest will be available at dispensers in locations such as the Elliott Bay Book Company in Seattle and Politics & Prose in Washington, D.C. These dispensers transform idle time into moments of literary discovery, democratizing access to art and, in this case, financial discourse. The popularity is undeniable; some locations report printing hundreds of stories each week.

Further amplifying the initiative's reach, the foundation has partnered with the Times Square Alliance to feature the winning and finalist stories in one of the world's most visible public spaces. This move literally puts financial narratives front and center, challenging the public to engage with these crucial topics in an unexpected setting. The collaboration is rounded out by The Center for Fiction, a national literary nonprofit that lends its 200-year history and expertise to the judging process, ensuring the artistic integrity and literary quality of the selected works. Through this multi-pronged approach, the initiative not only supports writers with cash prizes but also builds a robust ecosystem for sharing their vital stories with the widest possible audience.