So we’ve decided that Consumerist needs a little USA Today-style jazz hands. (I’d prefer to say we’re going to Tufte it up, but, I think I should be honest about my graphic skills and admit my position in life—there’s more dignity in honesty.) Here’s my first ever 100% Original chart for Consumerist: a nationwide overview of which states are teaching personal finance classes at the high school level.

Oh sure, it sounds boring now, but after writing for the Consumerist for almost six months, I’ve developed a healthy appreciation for our nation’s freewheeling, debt-accreting pathology. We are a messed up group of people when it comes to debt. That’s why I wanted to focus on some finance-related stats for my first chart.

I’m working on a new one for some time in February, and it will be about cell phone bills. I think it’s going to have leaches.