Online resources exist for educators and consumers wanting to teach and learn about finances. Some of the free sources include:
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
This government agency insures bank deposits. It also offers online recourses including: a teacher online resource center, a parent and caregiver resource webpage, youth banking resource center and “Money Smart,” a financial education program featuring game-based learning for young adults and audio podcasts.
Visit www.fdic.gov/consumers/education.
The Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis
This regional branch of the Federal Reserve offers free economics and personal finance lessons for educators. While the emphasis at the Reserve’s site if for educators, consumers may find the “Personal Finance 101 Chats” of interest. The chats take on topics such as: debits cards, car loans, how to open a bank account, interviewing tips and résumé writing.
Visit www.stlouisfed.org/education
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
According to their website they “offer clear, impartial answers to hundreds of financial questions.”
Visit www.consumerfinance.gov
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants have a couple of calculators to help with retirement and college-savings planning. The institute also offers its “360 Degrees of Financial Literacy,” a plan to help individuals understand personal finances through every stage of life.
Visit www.360financialliteracy.org
Consumer Federation of America
The America Saves Campaign publicizes the value of building savings and cutting back on debt.
Visit americasaves.org
Choose to Save
Sponsored by the Employee Benefit Research Institute and the American Savings Education Council, “Choose to Save,” national public education and outreach program is dedicated to raising awareness about the need to plan and save for long-term personal financial security.
Visit www.choosetosave.org
Get Banked
Opening a bank account is one of the most important steps a person can take to develop financial independance. Yet, millions of households in the U.S. remain unbanked. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) has education and resources for individuals looking to open their first bank account.
Visit www.fdic.gov/getbanked
National Endowment for Financial Education
National Endowment for Financial Education is a non-profit offering free resources to help teach money management skills.
Visit www.smartaboutmoney.org
Practical Money Skills
Visa’s “Practical Money Skills,” has information on: budgeting basics, savings, using credit, banks and banking, identity theft and life-event specific financial topics. For the young and young-at-heart, the best at this site may be the games designed to teach personal finance, Financial Football, Financial Soccer, and Money Metropolis.
Visit www.practicalmoneyskills.com
If these sites don’t do it for you, keep searching. Other resources exist. Depending on where you are in your financial education you may wish to visit sites belonging to Investopedia or the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
