This webinar presented 50 interactive personal finance learning activities that can be used to teach financial education. It began with an introduction of the presenter and their background conducting a review of financial education resources. Various types of activities were then described that could be used at different stages of a class, including to get learners engaged, develop critical thinking skills, practice math skills, and make content more personalized. The webinar concluded by asking participants to discuss one thing they learned and suggesting closing activities like a seven word summary or evaluation.

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1
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 Family
Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Numbers 2014-48770-22587 and 2015-48770-24368.
50 Interactive Personal
Finance Learning Activities

2. Connecting military family service providers
and Cooperative Extension professionals to research
and to each other through engaging online learning opportunities
www.extension.org/militaryfamilies
MFLN Intro
2
Sign up for webinar email notifications at www.extension.org/62831

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 taken by Barbara O’Neill

6. Question #1
What is your favorite personal
finance learning activity?
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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
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17. 6. Acrostics
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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
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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&l
ist=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/KeystokesandAns
wers.pdf (Keystrokes and Answers to Problems)
• http://create.extension.org/sites/default/files/TimeValueofMone
yLearningActivities.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/fin
ance/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/Do
E-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

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

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

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

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

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
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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/to
p/?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. What is one
significant thing
you learned today?
73

74. www.extension.org/62581
74This material is based upon work supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture, and the Office of Family
Readiness Policy, U.S. Department of Defense under Award Numbers 2014-48770-22587 and 2015-48770-24368.