CON 'EM IF YOU CAN is a Financial Entertainment online video game that helps students recognize the red flags of fraud and defend against them. The game turns the tables and casts players as the fraudster, challenging them to think critically about how cons—and many legitimate marketers—use persuasion. Download the Educator's Guide for a sample...
MONEY MATH FOR TEENS includes lesson plans and assessments that explore the math behind personal finance concepts such as compound interest, opportunity costs and more, in a way that’s practical and relevant to teens. The lessons have various degrees of complexity and are part of a collection of online games and educational resources from FINRA ...
ASSESSING WHETHER TO FILE BANKRUPTCY is a tutorial that helps people know when filing for bankruptcy may be a viable alternative -- and when it may not the best action to take. Sometimes all the person needs is some help to get out of debt that may have resulted from illness or the loss of a job. The tutorial explains the differences between C...
AVOIDING CONSUMER SCAMS AND RIPOFFS describes the fastest growing white-collar crime in America -- identity theft. This tutorial identifies ways thieves get and use your information to steal your money. It lists steps you can take to protect yourself, and what you can do if you are a victim of identity theft. It lists government agencies that...
AVOIDING DECEPTIVE CREDIT PRACTICES is an online tutorial that explains the dangers of doing business with companies that offer a quick fix to debt or credit problems. In truth, there is no quick fix, and the solutions they offer may make the problem worse. If the promises seem too good to be true, they probably are, and in some cases they may e...
AVOIDING DECEPTIVE INVESTMENT SALES PRACTICES is an online tutorial that provides advice on avoiding becoming a victim of fraud. With the growth in cell phone and internet use, the tutorial provides tips such as registering the cell phone with the Do Not Call Registry, and using a spam blocker for email. Among the clues that the scheme is dece...
BUYING OR LEASING A VEHICLE is a tutorial with information to help you make decisions on automobile needs vs. wants, priorities and trade-offs. The tutorial provides keys to success when negotiating a deal, including being willing to walk away from the deal if it is not right for you. The tutorial points to additional information sources, incl...
MONEYTOPIA: CASH OR CREDIT is an online tutorial that explains how credit cards can make it seem easy to buy things, but they aren’t free money. It includes a worksheet to help students track their use of credit and keep aware of outstanding credit obligations, and a tip sheet that suggests ways to avoid credit card debt traps.
COMPARING FINANCIAL PRODUCTS is an online tutorial that provides information about financial products such as stocks, bonds, annuities, certificates of deposit, and 529 plans. Before you invest, it’s important to have a basic understanding of the various products and to determine which ones may be suitable products for you.
COMPARING RETIREMENT PLANS strongly encourages young people to start planning for retirement while they are young. During the working years, you can build your retirement nest egg with various types of investments in order to generate an adequate income stream after you stop working.
MANAGING DEBT PROBLEMS is an online tutorial that identifies your choices if you are having trouble with debt. It considers alternatives to bankruptcy that may be better for you, and for your future ability to get credit. Because bankruptcy will affect your credit for years, it’s an option you should use only as a last resort. Alternatives inc...
MONITOR YOUR FINANCIAL HEALTH helps young people use financial ratios that will tell you if you have too much debt. Lenders use financial ratios to predict your ability to pay back a loan. Monitoring these ratios yourself will help you avoid surprises when you need a loan, and will enable you to spot the warning signs of debt before you get in o...
PREPARING A SPENDING PLAN is an online tutorial that shows you how you can take control of your money, pay your bills and save for future goals. A good spending plan allows you to see where your money is going and identify changes you can make to better manage your money. It can help you spot problems with your finances and identify the warni...
SAVING FOR COLLEGE is an online tutorial that provides tools for calculating how and where to save for college, for yourself or for your child. The tools include an online college savings calculator, and a comparison chart that identifies the pros and cons of various savings programs.
SETTING SMART GOALS is an online tutorial that asserts that in order to get what you want financially, you set goals. You stand a better chance of reaching your goals if you have a plan—one that maps out action steps, timelines, and milestones. This tutorial includes a worksheet you can use to set SMART goals for yourself.
MONEYTOPIA: THE BIG DREAM is a life simulation game designed to help you learn more about managing your money as you play the game. Sixteen content-related tutorials provide further information related to the personal finance challenges you will meet in the simulation/game. Your goal is to successfully manage your money throughout life, as yo...
WHAT ARE YOU WORTH is an online tutorial that defines net worth as the amount of money you have when you add up everything you own and subtract all your debts. Many factors influence whether your net worth goes up or down. This tutorial includes a blank worksheet to help you calculate your personal net worth.
WHAT MAKES UP A MORTGAGE is an online tutorial that explains the components of a mortgage payment. Many people think a mortgage payment consists of only two parts: principal and interest. However, there are two more parts: taxes and insurance. Lenders use PITI—principal, interest, taxes, and insurance—together with the borrower’s income to eval...
THINKING MONEY is a documentary that uses a mix of insights from behavioral economists, on-the-street interviews, and humor to explore the psychology behind our money decisions. Available in DVD and online streaming, it is produced by the FINRA Foundation and Rocket Media, in association with Maryland Public Television, and distributed national...
