In recent months I have noticed the addition of many new, no-charge Web sites and online games that are designed to assist individuals in gaining financial literacy. The following are three examples, each for a different age group:
Middle Schoolers– The Quest for Money Online Game: In April 2011 online money management program Mint.com (www.mint.com) introduced the “Quest for Money Game” located at www.mint.com/education. The amusing characters in the game are based on the characters in the Mint Quest for Credit video located at http://www.mint.com/blog/goals/quest-for-credit-complete-version/. The Quest for Money Game is a fun way for middle-school students to learn about the ramifications of personal finance decision-making. Game players will learn money management strategies, such as earning and saving money, and budgeting to meet specific financial objectives. To move ahead players must correctly answer questions about money, shopping, and saving. Smart choices and correct answers receive rewards. Mint provides teachers with lesson plans and online resources. These classroom materials will be distributed to 30,000 classrooms this year. Mint also includes parents in their financial literacy initiative. Parents can download family worksheets and activities that can be used at home. To download lesson plans and family financial educational materials visit https://www.mint.com/education/resources.
Low-Income Adults– Farm Blitz Online Game: The Rand Financial Literacy Center, a joint venture of Rand, Dartmouth College and the Wharton School, offer a free online financial literacy game for low-income adults titled “Farm Blitz” located at http://financialentertainment.org/. (Farm Blitz was inspired by the extremely popular online games Farmville and Bejeweled.) Farm Blitz let’s players experience how inferior financial decision-making can quickly result in high debt and make it impossible to save. Farm Blitz focuses on three personal finance lessons. First, the importance of minimizing high- interest, short-term debt. Second, the value of maximizing low-interest, long-term savings. And finally, understanding the importance of compounding interest. To watch a trailer of this no charge, adult financial literacy game visit http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBt8YaawQaU.
Children– The For me, for You, for Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving Online Program: The Wall Street Journal on June 20, 2011 had an advertisement for PNC that announced their new, free online financial literacy program for children. PNC and Sesame Street partnered to create the online program titled, “For Me, for You, for Later: First Steps to Spending, Sharing, and Saving”. The program and resource materials are located at www.pncgrowupgreat.com. The PNC program was developed by the Sesame Workshop, creator of Sesame Street. Children learn the financial basics as Elmo learns how to spend, save and share. The online programs is bilingual, has a parent and caregiver guide, children’s activity book, three jar labels, and a Sesame Street DVD that features Elmo, Cookie Monster and their friends. Educators can download a guide that can assist them in incorporating the program’s activities into their classroom lesson plans.
