Since setting out to write Dollars and Sense: How to Be Smart About Money, we’ve come across many books, websites, and financial gurus who are setting out to make financial literacy as high a priority as reading and math skills for both children and adults. During the research phase, we came across the expected financial tools, like websites dedicated to budget sheets and compound calculators, and there were websites with the creatively unexpected, like mixing financial skills with gaming, stimulating visuals, and online activities.
Technology has the power to enhance an arguably boring subject (like financial literacy, math, reading, science, and anything else taught at school)Â with fun, engaging, and new tasks. It also has the power to provide more information to more people at no cost. The following is a list of some of my favorite free financial websites:
- MoneyIsland: Â This is a brand new website that brings students into a virtual reality where they will travel the world while learning financial skills. MoneyIsland is only a small portion of the website’s offerings. There are many more games and videos to keep the learning going after your world travels.
- Financiallitnow.org “is an initiative to raise awareness about the critical importance of financial literacy and provide greater access to financial literacy training, services, and information.” You can find helpful information for family, community, and students all on the same site to help with anything from using a debit card to rolling over your IRA.
- 360 Degrees of Financial Literacy: Made possible by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, this website aims to help people at any financial phase in their life. Whether you’re a tween, teen, college student, veteran, married couple or retiree  looking for financial guidance, this is one place where you can find financial tools you need.
- TheMint.org: Get tips for kids, teens, parents, and teachers. This interactive site has so many fun games and activities you’ll forget you went there to learn.
Dollars and Sense: How to Be Smart About Money will have online assessments, tests, supplements, and more for students, teachers, and parents. We are looking forward to becoming part of the financial literacy movement and offering a fun learning experience for everyone involved.
Kids and teens can also learn from keeping track of their own money and practicing budgeting skills. They become much more thoughtful and careful when they make decisions with their own money. There are many online tools to help kids keep track their allowances, IOUs and cash. (Full disclosure — I am a bit partial to http://www.moneytrail.net!)
Looking forward to reading your new book!