What is the Real Cost of Going to College?
This activity will helps students understand the total cost of paying for college.
Financial Futures
This series of activities will teach kids one of the most important things they need to know as adults: how to manage their money.
About the Activities
Money can’t buy you happiness, but not knowing how to manage your money can cause you real problems. On the flip side, knowing how to save and invest your money and set specific goals about what you want and how you can use your money to get it are life skills that are truly invaluable.
This series of activities will teach kids the basics of managing their money, setting them on the right path toward understanding how to create a secure financial future for themselves.
Brought to you by TD Ameritrade
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Planning
Time: 20 minutes
Setting SMART Goals
Think about trying to use a GPS to get somewhere but you don’t have an address of where you are trying to go – that’s pretty much what happens when you make financial decisions without clear goals in mind. In this activity kids will learn how to create SMART goals that are Specific; Measurable; Adaptable; Realistic or Relevant; Time-bound them to enable their own financial success.
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Planning
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Where There’s a Bill, There’s a Pay
Today, it’s just as easy to buy most things online as it is at a physical store. But the method of payment you can use may depend on where you make your purchase. In this activity kids will learn about the different ways they can pay for items in person and online, and the upsides and downsides of each of those methods.
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Planning
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Save Smart
You have to put the money you earn somewhere (it can’t all fit under your pillow!), and there are many ways to keep your money safe. This activity shows kids and teens how to compare financial institutions and lets them decide what factors are important in choosing the one that’s right for them.
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Literacy
Estimated Time: 1 hour
Banking Your Money
Did you know that your money can grow? It’s true – and in this activity kids will learn all about that growth, called financial interest, and how to calculate it. To do this activity, you’ll need a basic level of computer/technology literacy, specifically how to use an internet-connected device and the ability to navigate the internet. You’ll also need a calculator.
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Literacy
Estimated Time: 30 minutes
Evaluating Investment Alternatives
You already know you can make your money grow, but there are more advanced ways of doing it than simply putting it in the bank and collecting interest. This activity teaches kids about different investment options and what each one means for their money. They’ll also answer questions to check their understanding and help them think about investing.
Grades: 7-12
Topic: Financial Literacy
Estimated Time: 30 Minutes
Charge It?
Credit cards are convenient and can be great tools, if used wisely. But it’s important to understand how they work and their potential pitfalls. This activity introduces the cost of using credit by showing kids the real amounts that the same item costs when it’s paid for in different ways.
Grades: 7 – 12
Topic: Financial Literacy
Estimated Time: 25 Minutes
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