This document summarizes a webinar presented by Barbara O'Neill on personal finance learning activities. The webinar objectives were to share the results of her review of financial education resources, describe 50 interactive learning activities, and provide opportunities for participants to share effective activities. O'Neill presented and discussed 50 different learning activities for teaching personal finance topics in engaging ways, including videos, games, simulations, songs, crafts, and more. She encouraged participants to select a few activities to try out.

1. PF SMS iconsPF SMS icons
https://learn.extension.org/events/2971
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Military
Family Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2015-48770-24368.
50 Interactive Personal Finance
Learning Activities
1

2. Connecting military family service providers
and Cooperative Extension professionals to research
and to each other through engaging online learning opportunities
militaryfamilies.extension.org
MFLN Intro
Sign up for webinar email notifications at militaryfamilies.extension.org/webinars

3. Barbara O’Neill, Ph.D., CFP®, AFC , CHC
• Extension Specialist and Distinguished
Professor at Rutgers University
• Currently on sabbatical and completed a
thorough (two-month) review and curation of
financial education resources
• Creator of five different savings challenges
that encourage people to save
• Research Interests: Health and wealth
relationships, financial practices of U.S.
consumers, and impact of Extension
financial education programs
Today’s Presenter
3

4. Webinar Objectives
• Share the results of an extensive two-month review
and curation of financial education resources
• Describe 50 interactive personal finance learning
activities
• Provide opportunities for participants to share
effective learning activities
4

5. This Webinar is Like a New Jersey
Diner Menu: You Need to Pick and
Choose!
5Photo by Barbara O’Neill. Used with permission.

6. Question #1
What is your favorite personal
finance learning activity?
6

7. Resource Links
• Curated List of Videos:
https://www.slideshare.net/BarbaraONeill/resource-list-
personal-finance-videos
• Curated List of Learning Activities (Quizzes, Calculators,
Lesson Plans, and Infographics):
https://www.slideshare.net/BarbaraONeill/learning-activities-
for-financial-education-programs
• Curated list of Next Gen Personal Finance (NGPF) Resources:
https://www.slideshare.net/BarbaraONeill/resource-listnext-
gen-pf-financial-education-resources
7

8. Sabbatical Project Background

9. Question #2
How do you begin a class or
briefing? Stories? Questions?
“Ice Breaker” activities?
9

10. 1. What Do You Already Know?
Personal Finance Topic___________________
• What experience have you had personally with the
topic?
• Where have you heard or read about the topic?
• What television shows or movies or advertisements
describe the topic?
• What questions do you have about the topic?
10

11. 2. Financial Coat of Arms
11

12. 3. Financial Education Bingo
12

13. 4. PowerPoint Games
Jeopardy! Millionaire Game
13

14. Question #3
What learning activities can
leverage learners’ creativity
and existing skill sets?
14

15. 5. Making A Video
• Movie Maker Instructions:
https://www.slideshare.net/BarbaraONeill/imsavingfor-video-contest-
video-making-instructions1216
• Sample Video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8UB14rlKJU
15

16. #ImSavingFor Video Archive:
More Sample Videos
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLBGUy38N_Pt1fAO1VG8Hdk94MfICzfw5z
16

17. 6. Acrostics
17

18. 7. Poems
18

19. 8. Financial Topic Songs:
Existing Video Examples
• You Ain’t Saved Nothing Yet:
http://nextgenpersonalfinance.org/you-aint-saved-nothin-yet-a-credit-card-classic-rock-parody/
• The Credit Card Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2JwdIWjVHaU
• Credit Card Rap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U_5hOH4Xv7Q
• S-A-V-E (Sammy Rabbit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZYysHjU0Q1M
• Get in the Habit (Sammy Rabbit): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQHoJcSnwxg
19

20. 8. Financial Topic Songs:
Learner-Created Examples
• FDIC Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdwwpnNQKaM
• Stock Trading Song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M16a_ESuP5I
• Money Management Rap:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=Glk5zXCOzmY&list=PLGBlHCfparDf0zdJ9JNQHMpSEJstcDP3k
20

21. Money Music Debrief
21

22. 9. “Paper Bag Theater”
• Give small groups a bag full of “stuff” to make a 2-3 minute
financial education skit with
– Pens/sharpies to write with, paper, scissors, tape, etc.
– A Frisbee can become a “car steering wheel”
– Credit card applications, newspaper ads, etc.
• Learners can add other items in their possession
• Allow 30-45 minutes of skit “prep time”
• Learners present their skits to the large group
22

23. 10. Paint a Financial Education
Message for Social Media, etc.
• Create a PowerPoint slide with text and/or photos
• Take a screen shot of slide (Fn Print Screen)
– You can also take a screen shot of your own videos or web site pages
• Open up Paint (Windows Accessories-Paint)
• Paste screen shot of PowerPoint slide or video
• Name the file and save it
• Open up file and crop as needed
• Save it again
23

24. 11. Puzzlemaker
http://www.puzzle-maker.com/
• Can make a word search puzzle or crossword puzzle
• Basic features are free
24

25. 12. Ignite Presentations (a.k.a.,
“Lightening Rounds”)
• 20 slides, 15 second advances, 5-minute talks
• Template master: http://www.ignitephoenix.com/tips/
Related types of presentations:
– Petcha Kucha: 20 x 20 (20 images for 20 seconds each)
– TED Talks at local TEDx events: https://www.ted.com/talks
25

26. Question #4
What learning activities can
develop learners’ critical
thinking skills?
26

27. 13. Polarity Activity
There is no “wrong” answer as long as you can
defend it (“it depends”)
Examples:
• Need vs. Want?
• Yes vs. No?
• Agree vs. Disagree?
• Buy it vs. Don’t buy it?
• Big tax refund vs. Small tax refund?
27

28. 14. Venn Diagram Activity
28

29. 15. Financial Case Studies
• 20 downloadable case studies:
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~boneill/assignments/case-study.html
• Make case study analysis presentations fun:
– Animated videos:
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJqE07zBvb8
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8FV6KkXJT6w
– Recorded videos
– Ignite presentations
– Role plays
– Poems
– Other
29

30. 16. Rule of Three Comparison
30

31. 17. Personal Finance in the News
31

32. 18. Reality Simulation: The Bean Game
http://extension.missouri.edu/BSF/money/BeanGame_color.pdf
32

33. 19. Reality Simulation: Welcome to Retirement
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/sp243-pdf
33

34. 20. Make a Table From a Calculator
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~boneill/assignments/sliderule1.html
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~boneill/assignments/sliderule2.html
34
Dozens of online calculators are in the resource list

35. 21. Your Time, Your Money Activity
35
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/sshw/workbook/12_Convert_Consumption_Into_Labor.pdf

36. 22. Time Value of Money Problems
• https://www.slideshare.net/milfamln/the-time-value-of-money-71613988
(Slides)
• http://create.extension.org/sites/default/files/KeystokesandAnswers.pdf
(Keystrokes and Answers to Problems)
• http://create.extension.org/sites/default/files/
TimeValueofMoneyLearningActivities.pdf (Time Value of Money Activities)
36

37. 23. Video and Documentary Film Debriefings
• There are HUNDREDS of curated videos to
choose from on the video list
37

38. Documentary Films
Broken Eggs: http://brokeneggsfilm.com/
Can You Afford to Retire?
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/retirement/
When I’m 65: http://www.wi65.org/video/
In Debt We Trust: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cltc4Og6HKo
Spent: Looking For Change (Debt):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cltc4Og6HKo
Broke, Busted, & Disgusted (Student Loans):
http://www.brokebusteddisgusted.com/the-film
38

39. More Documentary Films
Freakonomics: The Movie:https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x30lggo
Wage Crisis: http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/wage-crisis/
Paycheck to Paycheck:
http://www.hbo.com/documentaries/paycheck-to-paycheck-the-life-and-times-of-
katrina-gilbert
I.O.U.S.A: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dd0ofRX1LZ0
39

40. 24. Data Crunches
http://nextgenpersonalfinance.org/data-crunch/
40

41. 25. Infographic Insights
Dozens of infographics are on the resource list
41
Source:
Bankrate.com:
http://www.bankrate.com/
finance/insurance/auto-
insurance-infographic.aspx

42. 26. Step Up and Step Down
Brainstorm ways to do more positive
behaviors and fewer negative behaviors
42
Source: Dr. Alena
Johnson, Utah
State University

43. 27. Winners and Losers
43
Source:
http://
njaes.rutgers.edu/
money/pdfs/DoE-
Lesson-Plan-4-
Planning-Saving-
Investing.pdf

44. 28. Backwards & Post-It® Planning
• Draw a timeline (or other visual method) from the start to finish
of planning horizon for a financial goal
• Use sticky notes to put required steps along timeline
http://fyi.uwex.edu/ncrvd/files/2015/04/Program-Planning-and-Reflection-Activities-11.12.13.pdf
44

45. Question #5
What learning activities can
develop learners’ math skills?
45

46. 29. Health Insurance Calculations
Source: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/pdfs/DoE-Lesson-Plan-8-Comparing-Insurance-How-Health-Insurance-Works.pdf
46

47. 30. Check-Writing Activities
Source: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/pdfs/DoE-Lesson-Plan-5-Becoming-a-Critical-Consumer.pdf
47

48. 31. Spreadsheet Activities
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/
48

49. More Spreadsheet Activities
Next Gen Personal Finance Spreadsheets
49
49

50. Question #6
What learning activities do you use
that are very personalized to
learners’ thoughts/values/goals?
50

51. 32. Index Card Activity
http://nextgenpersonalfinance.org/activity-update-all-the-finance-advice-you-need-should-fit-on-an-
index-card/
51

52. 33. Values Clarification Activities
• http://www.therapistaid.com/worksheets/exploring-values.pdf
• http://www.dawnfrail.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/Clarify-Values.pdf
• https://web.extension.illinois.edu/money/values.cfm
• http://www.state.nj.us/education/aps/cccs/career/resources/mc/lesson9.pdf
• http://share.ehs.uen.org/system/files/ForcedValueWorksheet.pdf
52
Source: Eagle Vision Leadership
Development Group:
http://www.dawnfrail.com/wp-content/
uploads/2012/07/Clarify-Values.pdf

53. 34. Online Quizzes
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/
53

54. 35. Soundbite Summaries
54

55. 36. Savings Challenges
http://articles.extension.org/pages/73884/monthly-investment-message:-july-2016
55
55

56. 37. M&M Candy (or Fruit) Activity
56

57. 38. Draw Your Dreams
57
Source: http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/pdfs/session-iv.pdf

58. 39. Poverty Risk Calculator
https://riskcalculator.org/
58
58

59. 40. PowerPay Debt Repayment
Acceleration Calculation
https://powerpay.org/
http://rci.rutgers.edu/~boneill/assignments/powerpay.html
59

60. 41. Plug the Leaks
Give learners a handout with a picture of a boat with ten holes in
it. Explain that, just like holes in a boat will eventually cause it to
sink, holes in one’s spending can cause financial distress and/
or use up money that could otherwise be saved.
Ask participants to identify personal spending leaks. Then ask
for volunteers to report their leaks to the total group and discuss.
60
Source: Building Financial Strength
and Stability (2004). National
Endowment for Financial Education.

61. 42. Risk Tolerance Quizzes
http://njaes.rutgers.edu/money/riskquiz/
(13-Question Quiz)
https://www.investmentphilosophy.com/
behavioural-finance/your-attitude-to-risk/the-
balloon-test (Barclays “The Balloon Test”
Simulation With Pumping and Popping
Balloons)
61

62. 43. Wheel of Money
http://www.ppl-inc.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/Wheel-of-Money.pdf
62
This work is licensed under a Creative
Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-
Share Alike 3.0 License.

63. Question #7
What financial education
learning activities involve online
resources and searches?
63

64. 44. WebQuests
A structured online inquiry activity:
http://www.educationworld.com/a_tech/tech/tech011.shtml
64

65. 45. Twitter: Chats, Polls, Storify
65

66. 46. Live Video Streaming
Facebook Live
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?
q=mfln%20personal%20finance
YouTube Live
66
https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=DHOLLP731Cw

67. 47. Future Me
• https://www.futureme.org/
67

68. Question #8
What are some good summary
learning activities to close a financial
education class or briefing?
68

69. 48. Seven Word Summary
• Adapted from Six-Word Memoirs:
http://www.sixwordmemoirs.com/
• Summarize key take-aways in just 7 words
– Pay yourself first to save for retirement
– Always pay more than credit card minimum
– Avoid high cost payday lenders and pawnshops
– Follow the “Rule of Three” when shopping
– Save at least part of your tax refund
– Save 3-6 months of expenses for emergencies
69

70. 49. Mill to the Music
70
Source: Building Your Programs 20 Minutes at a Time: Leadership and Reflection
Activities You Can Use, University of Minnesota Extension (2010).

71. 50. “Take Your Temperature”
Evaluation of Learners’
Knowledge or Confidence
71

72. It’s Now Time to Order From the
Menu: Pick a Few of the 50
Learning Activities
72Photo taken by Barbara O’Neill

73. MFLN Intro
We invite MFLN Service Provider Partners
to our private LinkedIn Group!
https://www.linkedin.com/groups/8409844
DoD
Branch Services
Reserve
Guard
Cooperative Extension

74. Evaluation and
Continuing Education Credits/Certificate
MFLN Personal Finance grants 1.5 credit hours for
today’s webinar for AFC-credentialed participants
through AFCPE and CPFC-credentialed participants
through FinCert.
Please complete the evaluation and post-test at:
https://vte.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1SoTzNXpFybbG4d
Must pass post-test with an 80% or higher to receive
certificate.
74

75. Personal Finance Virtual Learning Event
Data Knows Best: What Research Says About Your Client’s
Retirement Planning
• Date: Tuesday, June 6, 2017 at 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern
• Location: learn.extension.org/events/2934
The New Retirementality
• Date: Wednesday, June 7, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern
• Location: learn.extension.org/events/2920
Catch-Up Retirement Planning
• Date: Thursday, June 8, 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Eastern
• Location: learn.extension.org/events/2935
For more information on MFLN Personal Finance go to:
https://militaryfamilies.extension.org/personal-finance/ 75

76. militaryfamilies.extension.org/webinars
This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Military Family
Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Number 2015-48770-24368.