See our introduction webinar to walk through every aspect of creating your class stock, adding assignments, viewing reports, and much more.
Also check our webinar in managing your class Budget Game, including how the game works, class set-up, and teacher reports.
Is your financial plan built to withstand a storm?
A strong financial plan needs a great defense. This presentation teaches students how to build a fortress around their finances, covering the three essential layers of protection: a robust emergency fund, the right types of insurance, and a multi-layered strategy for protecting their digital identity from modern scams.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
Click Here to download this presentation as a PowerPoint
This presentation decodes the “alphabet soup” of retirement savings, making complex topics easy to understand. Students will learn the key differences between employer-sponsored plans like 401(k)s and personal accounts like IRAs, and they’ll master the critical decision between paying taxes now (Roth) or later (Traditional).
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
Click Here to download this presentation as a PowerPoint
What is the single most powerful force for building wealth?
This presentation reveals the magic of compound interest, showing how it can make your money grow exponentially over time. Students will learn the difference between simple and compound growth and discover a powerful mental math shortcut, the Rule of 72, to estimate their investment returns.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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Are you using the right tools to manage your money safely and effectively?
This presentation builds a foundational “Saving Toolkit” for managing your money. Students will compare banks and credit unions, learn the specific purpose of checking, savings, money market, and CD accounts, and evaluate the pros and cons of different payment methods like cash, debit, and credit.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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How are you taxed on money you don’t earn from a paycheck?
Moving beyond income tax, this presentation explores the taxes associated with building and transferring wealth. Students will learn how investments are taxed (capital gains), understand the rules for passing assets to the next generation (estate, gift, and inheritance tax), and discover how property taxes fund local communities.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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What if you could legally lower the amount of income the government taxes?
This lesson walks students through the key decisions needed to prepare their first tax return. Students will learn how to choose a filing status, understand the power of deductions and pre-tax contributions to lower their taxable income, and compare different methods for filing.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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How can you build multiple income streams and protect them from forces outside your control?
This presentation explores both the “offense” and “defense” of earning money. Students will first learn about five distinct sources of income beyond a traditional paycheck, then analyze five major economic factors—like inflation and technological change—that can impact their financial future.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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How do you get paid correctly and avoid surprises on tax day?
This presentation is a practical guide to the essential tax forms every worker needs to know. From the W-4 you fill out when hired to the Form 1040 you file with the IRS, this lesson clarifies the purpose of each document and shows how they fit together in the annual tax cycle.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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Ever wonder why your take-home pay is so much less than your salary?
This presentation breaks down the key payroll deductions impacting your pay stub. Students will learn the difference between gross and net pay and understand where their money goes, from funding national services with federal taxes to supporting retirees through FICA.
Click Here to download this presentation in Google Drive
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Learning to invest shouldn’t feel like a mystery — this lesson makes it clear. The Buying Your First Stock module guides students step-by-step from understanding what a stock is to making their first trade in a virtual portfolio.
Here’s what’s inside:
Intro to key vocabulary: stock, ticker symbol, portfolio
Activities for researching companies and generating trading ideas
Exercises to read and interpret stock quotes (bid, ask, volume, etc.)
A virtual trading exercise: students “buy” a stock through PersonalFinanceLab and compare results
Discussion prompts and group work to reflect on risk, strategy, and investment choices
Get the full lesson plan:
Comparison shopping is more than just finding the lowest price. It’s about knowing what features, warranties, and hidden costs are worth paying for. This lesson walks students through smart strategies to evaluate offers and make better purchase decisions.
In this lesson, you’ll find:
Discussion prompts to sharpen critical thinking about deals
Worksheets and exercises to compare products side by side
Activities examining warranty, quality, total cost, and value
Guidance on identifying hidden fees or deceptive marketing claims
Get the full lesson here:
Buying a car is exciting—but the real cost goes far beyond the sticker price. Our Owning a Car lesson walks students through everything from insurance and fuel to maintenance, registration, and depreciation, so they can make smarter decisions before they buy.
What’s inside:
Discussion prompts to unpack surprising “hidden” costs
Worksheets to calculate total cost of ownership
Activities on loans, interest, and insurance
Group research comparing different vehicle types
Check out the lesson here:
The PersonalFinanceLab Stock Game is a fun and interactive way for students to learn about investing and the stock market — without the risks of real money. Teachers use it in class to bring financial literacy to life, while students get hands-on experience trading stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds in a simulated environment.
Through the stock game, students:
It’s a classroom favorite because it makes abstract financial concepts practical and engaging.
We recently hosted a webinar where we walked through exactly how the Stock Game works, including setup tips and ways to tie it into your lessons. You can download the presentation slides here, and watch the recording below.
If you’d like help getting started, we’ve got you covered:
Check out our recent webinar that walks you through the many benefits of using PersonalFinanceLab in the classroom.
Our interactive Budget Game is a powerful teaching tool that helps students practice real-world money management skills in a safe, engaging environment. Students take on the role of managing their own monthly budget—balancing income, expenses, savings goals, and unexpected life events. Along the way, they learn critical financial literacy concepts like:
The game turns abstract lessons into hands-on experiences, giving students both confidence and practical skills they can use for life.
Watch the webinar below, and download the presentation slides here.
Missed the live webinar and have questions? Book a 1:1 demo with one of our dedicated account managers, and they’ll walk you through how to bring the Budget Game (and the rest of PersonalFinanceLab’s tools) into your classroom with ease.
We recently hosted a live webinar where we walked teachers through how to bring budgeting and investing to life in the classroom with PersonalFinanceLab.
In this session, we explored the Budget Game, designed to teach students how to balance quality of life with saving for the future—helping them learn not just to save, but to spend responsibly. We also showcased the Stock Market Game, where students can research, trade, and invest in real time without spending a dime, practicing responsible investing skills in a safe environment.
Teachers also got a tour of classroom resources and reporting tools, including customizable lessons and flexible platform settings to align with their classroom goals.
Missed the live webinar and have questions? Book a 1:1 demo with one of our dedicated account managers, and they’ll help you get started.
Are you looking for an engaging way to teach students about personal finance and investing? Our latest webinar, Introduction to the Best Budget and Stock Game for Schools, is here to help!
In this session, we show educators how to:
Don’t just teach finance—bring it to life. With our Budget and Stock Games, your students won’t just learn—they’ll experience real-world money management and investing, all in a fun, competitive, and fully trackable environment.
Missed the live webinar and still have questions?
No problem—our team has you covered! Click the link below to book a 1:1 demo with one of our dedicated account managers. They’ll walk you through everything, answer your questions, and help you get started with PersonalFinanceLab.
The Fall semester is already here, and we’re excited to announce our newest slate of updates!
Want a full walkthrough of these updates in action? Watch our recorded webinar where we demonstrate the new features, answers questions, and shares best practices for using them in class.
Car ownership is expensive – and not for everyone (especially students still in school)! Our latest update to the Budget Game allows teachers to set their class session to “Public Transit Mode” in place of car ownership.
See Details of the new Public Transit Mode!
PersonalFinanceLab’s Stock Game has always featured US corporate and treasury bonds, but our latest update also allows students to trade bonds from 5 other countries!
Learn More About Our International Bonds Support
Our Stock Game has been available in a variety of languages since we launched years ago, but until now the Budget Game and Learning Library have been only available in English. This Fall we are releasing our complete translation for our entire platform! Spanish and French will be available starting in September, with more languages being released throughout the Fall semester!
Learn More About Our Translations
The Budget Game just got a lot more fun – all 4 of our new Mini-Games launched at the end of the summer, and continually refined ahead of the Fall semester! These include our “Cafe Game” to earn extra money, our “Wealth Whiz Quiz” to prove financial concept mastery to earn bonus points, our “Comparison Shopping” grocery game to give students practice in finding the best deal, and our “Weekend Planning” game where students pack their schedule with activities that can fit their budget!
Learn More About Our Mini-Games
As part of our routine update to our Learning Library, all of our lessons have a make-over to their titles! The new titles make each lesson more engaging and applicable to the real world for students, but still maintain the same level of educational content and rigorous standards alignment.
Our Stock Comparison Tool is an exercise to teach students the basic of conducting investment research – what data to look for, how to track it, and how to compare two companies. We updated our tool to now include an Export button, allowing students to save their comparison for later – including making it easier to use in homework or other assignments they submit for grading!
Learn More About Our Stock Comparison Tool
We have more enhancements and updates also rolling out through the Fall semester – culminating in a major update to our Assignments system that we plan to launch for the Spring semester.
Happy Learning!
-The PFinLab Team
We are excited the newest addition to our Budgeting Game – Public Transit Mode!
One of the major expenses in the game is owning a car. Car ownership comes with several bills players need to pay (including a Car Insurance and Gasoline bill), plus various events throughout the game itself relating to other expenses involved in owning a car, like oil changes, parking tickets and repairing wear-and-tear.
However, car ownership is not necessarily part of the financial reality every student will face, especially while they are still going to college and only working part-time. This led us to release our new Public Transit Mode!
When a player is in Public Transit Mode, they will no longer be issued a bill for their Car Payment or Car Insurance payments, and in place of their “Gasoline” bill each month, they will need to pay for a monthly Public Transit Pass.
All events in the game pertaining to car ownership are instead replaced with trials and tribulations involving taking the bus or other mode of public transit – buses might be late (making them late for work), stranger spills coffee on their favorite shirt, or even needing to rent a car to visit distant relatives.
When setting up your next class session, you will have the option to choose how your students get around town – owning a car, or taking public transit:
This setting can be chosen independently for “Part Time” mode (while the player is a college student with a part-time job) and “Full Time” mode (after the player finishes school and is working at a regular job). This is a class-wide setting (not per-student) in order to make the game experience more consistent – and rankings more competitive – across your class.
When you choose “Public Transit Mode” for one of the game modes, the following other changes take affect:
Teachers may also want to set up the game such that the scenario is that the student’s parents may have given the car as a gift, or cover the car insurance payments while the student is in school – but still have their players own a car (with the other advantages and costs involved).
These custom scenarios can also be handled in the Budget Game. Teachers can set the “Car Payment” or “Car Insurance” bills to zero – which prevents them from being issued to students (and allows teachers to then lower the game hourly wages to be more realistic for a part-time worker).
This also applies to other bills in the game too – while Rent, TV/Internet, Groceries, and Cell Phone plan bills are required (as students make choices involving these bills at the start of the game), teachers can turn off any other bill by setting its cost to 0 – giving the flexibility of a simplified game for younger students or having a bigger difference in game difficulty between part-time and full-time mode.
We hope you are as excited as we are to get your class up and running!
-The PFinLab Team
PersonalFinanceLab is excited to announce the addition of International Bonds to our bonds trading simulation!
Until now, PersonalFinanceLab has allowed students to trade a wide range of US corporate and treasury bonds – based on the settings chosen by their instructor when setting up their class stock game. Our new addition adds an additional selection of corporate and government bonds from the United Kingdom, France, Italy, Germany, and the Netherlands. Students can choose between countries with a new “Exchange” selector that has been added to the Bonds trading pit.
Like with Stocks, teachers can choose which Bonds exchanges are allowed for their class. The available bonds shares the same allowed exchanges as stocks – so enabling French stocks trading now also allows French Bond trading (if your class allows bonds at all).
We hope this brings an exciting new dimension to building a fixed-income portfolio for classes!
Happy Trading!
-The PFinLab Team
PersonalFinanceLab’s stock game has been available in a variety of languages since inception, but until now our Budget Game and Curriculum Library have been supported exclusively in English.
As one of our biggest enhancements for Fall 2025, we are excited to announce full translation across our entire platform* – including the entirety of or Budgeting Game and Assignments!
This change will be a gradual roll-out over the course of the Fall 2025 semester, with incremental updates supported by feedback from teachers and students.
The first additional languages we will be supporting are French and Spanish in the initial roll-out. Before the launch of the Spring Semester, we will also be introducing translations in Arabic and Simplified Chinese. Additional languages will be supported in the future, but made available based on school demand.
Happy Learning!
-The PFinLab Team
*Translation applies to text-based assets across the platform. Most images that feature text will continue to only be available in English. Video content will be updated with closed captions, with captions available in the supported translations. 3rd party assets, such as our Research Tool and Stock Screener Tool, will continue to only be available in English, as we do not have direct control over their functionality.
The PersonalFinanceLab Budget Game is a unique resource for schools to teach students about money management in the real world. As one of the cornerstone decisions students make each “week” of the simulation is how they are going to spend their weekend, through our student-driven “Weekend Choice” mechanic.
Besides simply choosing what area students want to focus on during each weekend of the game, each choice also triggers a unique Mini-Game to help really drive up the classroom engagement and keep students as part of the action!
Students choose to “Work Extra Hours” when they need to earn extra cash to make their budgets solvent for the month. In the real world, the equivalent would be “gig work”, but for simplification our game allows participants to pick up an extra shift bussing tables at a cafe.
Extra money is earned by serving up orders at the cafe, and taking the dirty dishes back to the kitchen afterwards. The game counts down, and cash is earned based on how many orders can be filled before the time runs out.
Learn More About The Cafe Game
“Studying” during the budget game has two impacts for how the long-term game plays out for participants. First, neglecting to study for too long will result in failed exams – and expensive tutors. But students who choose to frequently “Study” while they are still in school (or its equivalent, “Professional Development” while a full-time worker) will gradually earn raises on their job – permanently boosting their paycheck for a long-term advantage.
The Wealth Whiz Quiz captures this aspect of Studying – students are thrust into the spotlight in a 10-question game show covering financial topics.
Correctly answering questions gives students bonus points that directly apply to their game score – while getting questions wrong can hurt their score instead!
Learn More About The Wealth Whiz Quiz
Choosing to Socialize on the weekend is a great way for students to boost their Quality of Life – and our Time Management mini-game lets them try to pack their Saturday full of fun – on a budget!
In the Time Management game, students are presented with a variety of activities they can choose to embark on with their friends. Different activities are only available at certain times of day, and are located in different neighborhoods across the city where they live. Activities take up time and cost money – and travel time can be significant when travelling far between neighborhoods based on their distance on the map.
Players choose which events they can fit in their schedule (and budget), and earn Quality of Life points based on how much they can pack in while still meeting their monthly savings goals.
Learn More About The Time Management Game
Choosing to take care of household chores is a good way to save money in the long run – neglecting too long can result in fines from your landlord, a cockroach infestation, or worse. Taking care of chores also launches our Comparison Grocery Shopping Game!
In the comparison shopping game, the player is stopping by the grocery store to pick up some items on their shopping list. They need to buy 3 different types of items, and each item has 3 alternatives to choose from. Each alternative has a different quantity (be it units per package or net weight), a “Quality Score” indicating their perceived quality of the item, and a cost (which may be on sale!).
Players are challenged to try to find the best deal on each item, with Quality of Life points earned based on the Quality and Quantity of each purchase, plus bonus points if they were able to choose the “best deal”!
Learn More About The Comparison Shopping Game
The mini-games are just one of the cornerstones that make the PersonalFinanceLab Budget Game the most engaging financial simulation for students!
Happy Learning!
-The PFinLab Team
Part of Our Summer 2025 Content Update
We’re excited to announce a fresh new look for your favorite PersonalFinanceLab assignments! As part of our Summer 2025 Content Update, we’ve updated all assignment titles to make them more engaging, easier to understand, and more classroom-friendly.
Whether you’re assigning a budgeting game, stock market simulation, or personal finance module, you’ll now see updated titles designed to better reflect the learning goals and keep students interested from the start.
Good news: If you’ve copied assignments from previous semesters, they’ll still work with the new titles—no extra steps needed.
Expect to see titles like “Building Wealth” transformed into “A Strategy to Build Wealth, Not Debt” or “Car Insurance” become “Car Insurance: How to Lower Your Rates.” It’s all part of helping students better connect with the content right from the first click.
These updates are just one of the many ways we’re working to make PersonalFinanceLab even better for the upcoming school year. Stay tuned—there’s more to come!
| Old Title | New Title |
| Budgeting | Break Free From Money Stress with a Budget |
| Budgeting and Spending Strategies | Proven Techniques to Stop Overspending |
| What is Money? | What is Money? |
| Building Wealth | A Strategy to Build Wealth, Not Debt |
| Use the Compound Interest Calculator | Watch How Your Savings Could Grow (A lesson on compound interest) |
| Spending and Savings Plans | Achieve Financial Goals with a Spending Plan |
| Pay Yourself First | A Simple yet Powerful Way to Build Wealth |
| Preparing for Spending Shocks | How to Prepare for Unexpected Expenses |
| Financial Records and Receipts | Receipts: What to Keep and Why |
| Researching Spending | How Do You Stop Impulse Purchases? |
| Managing Bills | The Art of Juggling Many Bills in a Pinch |
| Planning Long Term Purchases | Evaluating Big-Ticket Purchases |
| Family Planning | The Cost of Raising a Family |
| Use the Net Worth Calculator | Get a Snapshot of Your Financial Health (A lesson on Net Worth) |
| Use the Buy vs Lease Calculator | Rent or Buy: Which is Right for You? |
| Use the Home Budgeting Calculator | Find Out Your Monthly Home Budget |
| Using Credit | A Beginner’s Guide to Borrowing Wisely |
| Credit Cards | Credit Cards: Terms, Fees, and More |
| Buying a Car | The Car Buying Checklist |
| Good Debt, Bad Debt | How to Use Debt to Your Advantage |
| Use the Car Loans Calculator | Calculate Your Car Loan Payments |
| Short-Term Financing | What to Do When You Need Money Fast |
| Student Loans | Financing Your Education |
| Mortgages | Mortgage Options for First-Time Homebuyers |
| Use the Credit Card Payments Calculator | Calculate the True Cost of Credit Card Debt |
| Credit Reports | What Your Credit Report Says About You |
| Managing Debt | How Borrowers Manage Personal Debt |
| Debt Management Services | Getting Help With Debt Repayment |
| Consolidating Debt | Debt Relief: Is Consolidation the Answer? |
| Debt Negotiation | How to Negotiate With Creditors |
| Debt Snowball and Avalanche | Debt Snowball and Avalanche |
| Bankruptcy | What Is Bankruptcy? |
| Income and Compensation | What’s in Your Compensation Package? |
| Workplace Benefits | What Benefits to Look for in a Job Offer |
| Career Development | Planning Your Career Path |
| Employer and Employee Rights and Responsibilities | The Ultimate Employee Guide |
| Unemployment and Other Programs | Public Financial Assistance Programs |
| Banks, Credit Unions, and Savings and Loans | Choosing the Best Banking Option for You |
| Debit Cards | How Debit Cards Work |
| Automatic Payments | Automatic Payments: Convenience vs. Risk |
| Taxation Overview | Tax Basics You Need to Know |
| Tax Filing and the Form 1040 | Income Tax Filing Tips & Tricks |
| Practice Filing The Form 1040 | Get Practice Filing a Sample Tax Return |
| Sales Tax | Sales Tax: Who Pays, Collects, and Why? |
| Biggest Mistakes of Job Seekers | Biggest Mistakes of Job Seekers |
| Acing Job Interviews | Acing Job Interviews |
| How To Choose an Internship | Are Internships Worth It? |
| Using Keywords In Your Resume | How to Get Past Resume Software |
| What is Wealth? | What is Wealth? |
| Charitable Giving | A Guide to Effective Charitable Donations |
| Preparing for Retirement | The Secret to a Comfortable Retirement |
| Use the Saving to be a Millionaire Calculator | Crack the Code to Becoming a Millionaire |
| Consumer Rights and Responsibilities | Protect Yourself as a Consumer |
| Classifying Products and Services | Why You Buy What You Buy |
| Common Tax Deductions | Tax Credits & Deductions You Need to Know |
| Common Tax Additions | Uncovering Hidden Income Taxes You Owe |
| When to Hire a Tax Professional | Do You Need a Tax Professional? |
| What Makes a Contract Valid? | The 6 Elements of a Binding Contract |
| Renter’s Insurance | What’s Not Covered in Renter’s Insurance? |
| Home Owner’s Insurance | What Damage Does Home Insurance Cover? |
| Rental Agreements and Homeowner’s Associations | Rules for Renters & Homeowners |
| Car Insurance | Car Insurance: How to Lower Your Rates |
| Life Insurance | Life Insurance: The Ultimate Safety Net |
| What Are Annuities | Is an Annuity Right for You? |
| Disability Insurance | Don’t Let Disability Derail Your Finances |
| Health Insurance | Why Health Insurance is So Expensive |
| Protecting Yourself Against Fraud | How to Avoid Identity Theft, Scams & Fraud |
| Using Spreadsheets – Comparing Car Financing Options | Find Your Best Car Loan Deal |
| What are Financial Records? | Tame Your Financial Paperwork |
| Reconciling Accounts | Balance Your Books in 10-Minutes |
| Tax Audits | What Is a Tax Audit? |
| Work VS Study | Go to College or Start Working? |
| Simple and Living Wills | Who Gets Your Stuff When You’re Gone? |
| Starting a Business | Starting a Business 101 |
| Income Taxes in Canada | The Basics of Filing Taxes in Canada |
| Pay Yourself First in Canada | #1 Rule for Building Wealth in Canada |
| Canadian Credit Reports | Your Canadian Credit Report |
| Planning for Retirement in Canada | A Guide to Retiring in Canada |
| Types of Canadian Insurance | Insurance Basics Everyone Should Know |
| Protecting Against Fraud in Canada | How to Spot a Scam in Canada |
| Bankruptcy in Canada | How Bankruptcy Ruins Your Credit |
| What is a Stock? | A Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Stocks |
| What is a Ticker Symbol? | Why Investors Need to Use Ticker Symbols |
| Getting (and Understanding) Stock Quotes | How to Read a Stock Quote like a Pro |
| Why Invest in Stocks? | Why Invest in Stocks vs. Just Saving? |
| Building a Diversified Portfolio | Why You Should Diversify Your Portfolio |
| Getting Trading Ideas | 5 Ways to Get Trading Ideas |
| Navigating The Site | How to Navigate The Platform? |
| Order Types | How to Use Order Types? |
| Trading Stocks Tutorial | How to Trade Stocks? |
| What is an ETF? | A Simple Explanation of ETFs |
| What is a Mutual Fund? | The Pros and Cons of Mutual Funds |
| Trading Mutual Funds Tutorial | How to Trade Mutual Funds? |
| What are Bonds? | Getting Started with Bond Investing |
| Trading Bonds Tutorial | How to Trade Bonds? |
| Understanding Margin Trading | Margin & Short Selling Explained |
| What is a Brokerage? | How to Choose a Brokerage Account? |
| Investment Research | How to do Investing Research? |
| How to Choose and Compare Stocks | How to Choose Stocks Strategically |
| Understanding Price Movements | Decoding What Moves The Market |
| What is an Income Statement? | What is an Income Statement? |
| What is a Balance Sheet? | What a Company Owns vs. Owes (A lesson on Balance Sheets) |
| What Is A Cash Flow Statement | The Cash Flow Statement Explained |
| Investing Strategies | How to Develop an Investing Strategy |
| Certifications in the Finance Industry | Want to Work in Finance? |
| What are Cryptocurrencies? | What are Cryptocurrencies? |
| Use the Investment Return Calculator | Model Your Financial Future (A Lesson on Investment Growth) |
| Use the Net Present Value Calculator | Net Present Value (NPV) Calculator |
| Basic Research and Comparing Stocks | How to Research & Compare Stocks |
As educators, we know how important it is to prepare our students for the real world; and that includes handling money wisely. Credit cards can be tricky for young people, but with the right information, they can learn to use them responsibly and avoid common mistakes.
That’s why we’re excited to share this easy-to-understand Credit Cards lesson from Personal Finance Lab. It breaks down everything from how interest works to why credit scores matter, all in a way that makes sense for students.
Why you’ll want to use this lesson:
Check out the full lesson here:
Graduation is a thrilling milestone—but what comes after the tassel flip? Whether students are heading into the job market or continuing education, planning ahead is key. That’s why the “What’s After Graduation?” lesson plan from PersonalFinanceLab is such a powerful tool.
Clear options laid out: The first part breaks down the two main paths—entering the workforce immediately or pursuing further education and how each affects future career opportunities.
Hands-on career exploration: Students dive into activities like identifying “Dream Jobs,” researching required education and skills, and analyzing career clusters to understand their fit.
Interactive budgeting simulation: The “Budget Game” simulates real-world financial choices immediately post-graduation.
Engaging classroom activities: With group discussions (“Work vs Study” decision-making), quizzes, and guided presentations, the lesson supports both independent and collaborative learning.
Like what you see? This is just one of many financial literacy lesson plans we offer—browse the full collection in our Resource Library!
Time To Read:
This project comes recommended from Leesa Hudak from Bow High School in New Hampshire. Learn more about Leesa’s classes in our case study!
Students will build and manage a stock portfolio over the course of a semester, making investment decisions based on research, market trends, and risk assessment.
Project Guidelines:
20 points:
1. Your portfolio return must be within 5% points of the S & P 500 by the end of the competition. The 5% is based on the starting value of the S & P (5, 608.36) vs the ending value of the S & P. Portfolios that BEAT the S & P 500 will receive 1 point for every 3% that the ROI is greater than the S & P
Your portfolio must be within the parameters of the competition in order to receive ANY of these points.
This portion of the project is time sensitive and, therefore, a reassessment is not possible.
2. Weekly Check-Ins: NOTE: Weekly check-ins will be done throughout the semester as homework assignments and are not part of the project grade.
5 points per week: for staying within the parameters (weekly check in to check cash balance and minimum of 5 stocks).
Weekly check in will take place at the beginning of the last class of the week.
Check out our investing lesson plans that include Leesa’s Stock Portfolio Project, and other hands-on individual and group activities you can use with your class.
If you want to give Leesa’s class project a try, book a demo with our sales team to learn more about utilizing PersonalFinanceLab in your classes!
Time To Read:
Opportunity cost is one of the most essential concepts in economics and personal finance—and one of the most useful for students to understand early on. To help bring this idea to life in your classroom, we’ve created a downloadable lesson plan that’s simple to implement and built for engagement.
Inside this resource, you’ll find:
This lesson is ideal for middle and high school students, and it aligns with national standards for personal finance and economics.
Whether you’re introducing the concept for the first time or looking to supplement your existing curriculum, this resource is a great way to help students think more deeply about the trade-offs they make every day.
Enjoyed this lesson? Check out our full library of classroom-ready resources—perfect for bringing personal finance and economics to life in your class.
Time To Read:
Interview with Leesa Hudak, a High School Finance and Economics Teacher at Bow High School in New Hampshire.
Overview
In this case study, we explore how a high school teacher the PersonalFinanceLab Stock Game to deepen financial literacy and economic understanding across multiple classes, ranging from introductory finance to advanced investing. Through long-term simulations, student-created rules, and differentiated assignments, students not only engage with real-world market trends, but also build analytical and critical thinking skills.
Implementation
Leesa creates separate simulations for each subject she teaches, one for basic personal finance, another for finance classes, and another for economics. Each simulation is tailored to fit the course content and classroom expectations, with different rules and levels of required activity. While many of her students are in semester-based courses, she adjusts participation accordingly, sometimes removing students at the semester break or allowing them to continue through the full year. “It’s fun for them to compete against more than just the students in their classroom,” she explained.
To help students get started, Leesa incorporates the Stock Comparison Tool as a key class activity. This tool allows students to research and compare companies side-by-side, making it easier to decide where to invest their initial funds. All students must invest in a minimum of five companies, a requirement that sparks discussions about diversification and exploring different economic sectors.
Introductory and Econ Classes
In introductory personal finance classes (Money Matters and Personal Finance I), the setup is simple:
To help students get started, Leesa leads a classroom activity where students list every product they used that day, then categorize those into sectors. This generates ideas for portfolio picks based on familiar brands and behaviors.
In economics classes, the stock simulation is used lightly. While it’s not a core focus, she occasionally incorporates major economic events into class discussions, such as Fed meetings or tariff news, and helps students connect those events to their portfolios.
Advanced Finance and Investing Courses
For more advanced classes, like Finance I, Finance II, and a dedicated Stock Market & Investing course (all with an introductory personal finance class as a prerequisite), Leesa creates separate sessions with more complex rules. In these, she enables advanced settings like:
One key project required students to develop their own investing philosophy before making any trades. She prompted them to consider questions like, “What are you looking for in a stock? What makes you choose one over another?”
Student Engagement & Rule-Making
A standout feature of Leesa’s investing classes is that students help create the rules. She proposes the overall project structure, then lets students decide on detailed guidelines, like portfolio balance rules and performance benchmarks.
“We picked the S&P 500 as our index and gave a 3% grace. If their portfolio finishes within 3% of the S&P, they get full credit on one of the components of the project. If they beat the S&P, they can earn additional points. So they’re really paying attention to that index.” Leesa explained.
Weekly trading is a required component, and students submit short weekly updates. These updates not only describe their trades but also reflect on portfolio performance and link it back to economic trends or individual strategies. These reflections prepare students for a final presentation at the end of the semester.
Classroom Tools and Features Used
Conclusion
Leesa emphasized that giving students ownership of the rules dramatically increases their engagement, especially in advanced classes.
For entry-level students, she finds that tangible dollar amounts (like $1,000) might be more meaningful than traditional starting points like $100,000. However, the flexibility to buy high-priced stocks or fractional shares helps balance realism with opportunity.
She does not assign PersonalFinanceLab’s built-in trading notes for most students. Instead, she uses custom weekly updates, especially in advanced classes, where they tie into final projects.
Her students greatly enjoy the competition, and it’s clear that the real-world application of concepts through PersonalFinanceLab has deepened both their engagement and understanding of the stock market.
If you want to learn more about how Leesa structures her class stock game, you can find her Stock Portfolio Project and grading criteria in our companion blog post!
Picking up some extra cash in today’s gig economy is a financial reality that most young adults at least consider at one point or another – and having the option to pick up some extra cash can be a life-saver (and budget savior).
Our budgeting game captures this in our Weekend Choice – players have the option to Work Extra Hours on the weekend to make some extra cash to help reach their savings goals.
If players choose to Work Extra Hours, they will have two options: our classic Slide Puzzle Game, or our new Cafe Mini-Game!
The Cafe mini-game is only available while students are in part-time mode (in which they already work in a cafe as their primary job). The scenario is that they are taking an opportunity to pick up an extra shift at work – they need to wait on tables to earn tips by delivering orders to tables who request them, and taking dirty dishes back to the kitchen to free up a table after a customer has left.
The player earns cash every time they successfully deliver food to a table. They also need to bring dishes back to the kitchen – there is no earning for bringing back dishes, but the table will not be “free” for another customer until it has been cleaned.
Players try to earn as much as they can during their 1-minute “shift” – and their earnings are added to their next in-game paycheck.
Unlike our other mini-games, there are no other bonuses or special points earned from Working Extra Hours – it is simply cash earned that will help make reaching savings goals easier for this month.
The Cafe Game joins the Comparison Shopping and Wealth Whiz Quiz mini-games to keep students engaged as they play through each month of the simulation.
If you want to try any of our mini-games, but your school does not yet have a license for PersonalFinanceLab, you can sign up for our Teacher Test Drive to give it a spin!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team.
Knowing how to manage one’s time is as important as managing money – which is the cornerstone of our new “Socializing” mini-game in our personal budgeting game!
The Time Management game launches as part of our Weekend Events, triggering when a user chooses to Socialize with their friends on the weekend.
This game is all about choosing how to spend a Saturday with friends. They will have a variety of different events they can choose form, scattered across different neighborhoods of the “city” of the game.
Different types of events are available, located in different neighborhoods (and with different costs to participate). The user can build up their weekend schedule with as many, or as few, events as they wish!
The Time Management game does not strictly have a “correct” or “incorrect” way to play. As this figures directly into the rest of the Budgeting aspect of the Budget Game, how they choose to spend their weekend (and which activities are going to cost them the most to participate in) will have a big impact on their monthly budget.
This magnifies one of the core concepts of the budgeting game: the trade-off of spending money with friends and events (improving the player’s Quality of Life) versus choosing less expensive entertainment options – but making it easier to reach their personal savings goals.
The Time Management Game joins our Comparison Shopping, Wealth Whiz Quiz, and Cafe Worker mini-games as the 4 available mini-games available at the end of each “week” of the game. Each game offers a different challenge – and a different potential bonus – giving students a reason to vary their weekend routine!
If you want to try either of our mini-games, but your school does not yet have a license for PersonalFinanceLab, you can sign up for our Teacher Test Drive to give it a spin!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team.
Time To Read:
When we think of personal finance, it’s easy to box it into one neat academic category: economics. But money—how we earn it, spend it, save it, and think about it—intersects with nearly every part of our lives. So why limit it to just one classroom?
By weaving personal finance into subjects across the curriculum, schools can prepare students not just to ace their tests, but to make smarter decisions in the real world. Here’s how personal finance naturally fits into the broader school experience:
Personal finance builds directly on the math students already learn. Calculating interest rates, budgeting expenses, comparing discounts, or understanding loan repayments—all of these bring math to life. Financial concepts make classroom math practical, helping students connect equations to real-world consequences.
The history of money tells us a lot about the evolution of society. Students can explore the barter system, the creation of currencies, the rise and fall of economies, and the impact of financial crises like the Great Depression. These topics show how money has always shaped—and been shaped by—human behavior and policy.
Geography classes explore natural resources, trade routes, and economic disparities between regions. Adding a financial lens helps students understand how where you live affects access to jobs, housing, education, and more. It’s a natural fit that deepens geographic thinking.
Social studies invites students to think critically about systems, power, and fairness. Examining systemic poverty, wealth distribution, and the economic impact of public policy helps students see how financial systems affect lives—especially in marginalized communities.
There’s a strong connection between financial stability and overall well-being. In health class, students can explore how financial stress impacts mental health, how food choices are shaped by income, and why the cost of care is often a barrier. Financial literacy is key to understanding personal health.
Business and tech classes are natural homes for deeper financial learning. Topics like taxes, credit, budgeting, and entrepreneurship give students a strong foundation for the workplace and beyond. It’s a great place to explore how money works in both traditional and digital economies.
Even creative classes can benefit from financial literacy. Whether managing the budget for a school play, purchasing materials for an art project, or exploring the economics of the music industry, students gain skills that help turn passion into sustainable practice.
Not every class needs to teach money management—but every student deserves to leave school with a basic understanding of how money works. By integrating personal finance across the curriculum, schools show students that financial literacy isn’t an add-on. It’s essential.
Looking to bring personal finance into your entire school curriculum? Learn how PersonalFinanceLab supports cross-subject integration and helps students build real-world skills.
Time To Read:
Many students are excited to earn their first paycheck, but it often comes as a surprise when that paycheck is smaller than expected. This is a great opportunity to introduce the topic of taxes in a way that feels relevant to their lives.
For many students, taxes can seem confusing and full of unfamiliar terms like “W-4” and “withholdings.” But learning about taxes early can help them feel more confident and better prepared when they start working.
By understanding the basics of taxes, students can:
First up, as students play through our Budgeting Game, they will see their tax withholdings on every paycheck.
Beyond the games themselves, we also provide interactive lessons and tools that make taxes easier for students to understand. You don’t need to be a tax expert to teach this topic. Our platform is designed to support teachers and guide students through real-world examples.
One of our most helpful tools is the 1040 Tax Form Simulation. This lets students practice filling out a federal tax return in a simple, step-by-step format. It shows them how income, deductions, and refunds all connect.
For shorter activities, we also have interactive “Hotspot” images you can share, for both a pay stub and the 1040 form. It gives students a clear breakdown of what each section means, using language they can understand.
Tips You Can Share With Your Students
Here are a few simple tips you can pass along to students filing taxes for the first time:
Understanding taxes is an important part of financial literacy. With the right tools, students can learn how taxes work and feel more confident when they start earning and managing their own money.
Explore More at PersonalFinanceLab
Visit PersonalFinanceLab.com to access our tax lessons and simulations. These resources are ready to use in your classroom and designed to help students build essential money skills.
Time To Read:
Financial literacy is more than a checklist of topics, it’s a lifelong skill that students must internalize through active engagement, decision-making, and reflection. At PersonalFinanceLab, we believe that the best way to teach financial concepts is by letting students live them — virtually, of course — in safe but realistic simulations that mirror the financial world they’ll enter after graduation.
We often get asked how PersonalFinanceLab compares to other platforms like Everfi®. While Everfi offers useful digital lessons across a wide range of topics, many of which are free for schools, the real question isn’t just what topics are covered, but how deeply students practice and retain what they’ve learned. And that’s where PersonalFinanceLab excels.
Everfi is built around bite-sized, self-contained modules that serve as great introductions to topics like budgeting, investing, and paying for college. These are designed to be completed quickly, often in a single sitting, with pre- and post-quizzes to gauge understanding. There is no doubt, it’s efficient and accessible.
However, at PersonalFinanceLab, our goal goes far beyond exposure. We’re focused on mastery through repeated practice. Our platform revolves around immersive simulations like the Budget Game and Stock Market Game, where students make dozens (sometimes hundreds) of financial decisions that mirror real life. From paying rent to juggling savings goals and surprise expenses, students experience what it really feels like to live on a budget.
When students use Everfi to learn budgeting, they often walk through pre-scripted scenarios, these are helpful, but abstract. At PersonalFinanceLab, budgeting comes alive through our virtual year-long simulation. Students take on part-time jobs, pay bills, deal with emergencies, and see the direct impact of their decisions on key metrics like their Credit Score, Net Worth, and Quality of Life.
And teachers? They see those “lightbulb moments” happen when students realize, for example, how missing a payment hurts their credit, or how skipping savings one month sets them back later. This kind of sustained engagement is simply not possible in standalone modules.
Everfi introduces students to the concepts of investing through static examples and multiple-choice questions. Students might analyze a fictional character’s portfolio and decide what stock “Dax” should buy. It’s a good way to explain diversification, sure — but students never actually feel invested.
PersonalFinanceLab’s Stock Market Game, by contrast, drops students into the real-world market. They manage their own portfolio using live market data, make their own trades, and use integrated research tools to analyze companies, just like a real brokerage. They see their rankings shift throughout the day, prompting questions, research, and genuine curiosity. It’s experiential learning at its best.
Everfi boasts a wide range of standards-aligned modules, and we respect that. But at PersonalFinanceLab, we pair 300+ self-grading lessons with simulations that make every concept stick. Lessons on “Pay Yourself First” or “Diversification” are immediately applied in the games and students can even transfer funds from their Budget Game savings into their Stock Game portfolios. This seamless integration of curriculum and action is a major advantage for long-term skill building.
One of the biggest differences? Control.
Everfi is plug-and-play, and that’s great when you need something quick. But it offers virtually no customization beyond choosing which modules to show students.
PersonalFinanceLab was built for teachers who want to be in charge of their classroom. You can customize everything: game settings, trading rules, types of securities, savings goals, interest rates, and even how students earn in-game rewards for completing assignments. You can decide exactly how long the games run, what students see, and how they’re assessed. Our pre/post testing works across the entire experience, not just per lesson, giving you a big-picture view of your students’ growth.
Everfi gives you a solid introduction to financial topics. If you need fast, free, and easy — it’s there.
But PersonalFinanceLab is the solution when you’re ready for students to go deeper, to practice skills over time, and to develop real financial habits before they leave your classroom.
Hands-on simulations that mirror real life
Real-time stock trading using real market data
Deep curriculum integration with assignments and assessments
Full customization to fit your classroom needs
When you want your students to not just learn about money, but to actually learn to manage it — PersonalFinanceLab is built for you.
PersonalFinanceLab is all about helping young people learn more about financial literacy, with our animated videos, budgeting game, and stock game working with our lesson library to bring learning to life.
To bring these concepts to life, our cast of characters has been showing up across our games, videos, and lessons for the last year. These characters have their own personalities and attitudes about money, which helps students see how financial concepts play out in the real world.
To help kick off our Financial Literacy Challenge for the 2025 Financial Literacy Month, we wanted to formally introduce our cast of characters. Each character has also put together their own portfolio for the Stock Game portion of the Challenge – and are happy to explain how and why they made their picks.
If your students are struggling to make their first trades, our cast can help! Each cast member has 3 ETFs or mutual funds in their portfolio, 4 stocks they bought, and 3 stocks they shorted. They all also share their reasoning of why each holding belongs in their portfolio – giving great rationale for students to refer to as they build their own portfolios!
Each of the Cast Members will appear in the Stock Game Rankings for the Financial Literacy Challenge, so students can see how they perform against each of these model portfolios!
Chet is a laid-back and carefree individual who lives in the moment, often prioritizing short-term pleasures over long-term consequences.
Tia is a meticulous and analytical individual who thrives in the world of numbers and technology, always seeking to optimize her life. She could spend hours doing puzzles or complex math-based games.
Eric is a rugged and energetic handyman who thrives on action and competition, always looking for the next challenge or project to tackle with his hands-on skills and booming personality. He used to play football in school, and now plays recreational softball on weekends.
Maggie is a sentimental and practical individual who values stability and security, often prioritizing comfort and familiarity over adventure and risk.
Esteban is fascinated by space since he was a kid. He loves reading and writing science fiction, and his dry sense of humor is loved by his friends and classmates (and tolerated by his teachers). He effortlessly gets good grades.
Jesse is a driven and resourceful individual who embodies the spirit of a true go-getter, always striving to achieve her goals and live life on her own terms. She is athletic and plays competitive volleyball.
Ryan is a charismatic and confident entrepreneur who effortlessly navigates the cutthroat world of high-stakes business deals with his quick wit, sharp instincts, and infectious charm.
Amira is a creative and empathetic individual who thrives in the world of art and self-expression, always seeking to inspire and uplift those around her.
We will be introducing students to the Cast throughout the challenge to help give tips, trading ideas, and help cement the core principles of financial literacy.
If you haven’t already encountered our Cast in our videos and mini-games, stay tuned as they make more appearances across our lessons and activities!
-The PFinLab Team
Ryan is a charismatic and confident entrepreneur who effortlessly navigates the cutthroat world of high-stakes business deals with his quick wit, sharp instincts, and infectious charm.
He can be described as:
Ryan’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) – “This is all about disruptive technology. With my startup ambitions and drive to stay ahead of the curve in the tech world, this ETF would be a natural fit. It’s loaded with stocks that could revolutionize industries, like Tesla and CRISPR, which could give me both the high growth and excitement I’m looking for.”
SPDR S&P 500 ETF Trust (SPY) – “It’s hard to ignore the stability of the S&P 500. While I like to take risks, I’d still want a foundation of steady growth. This ETF gives me exposure to the top 500 companies in the U.S., and it’s a smart way to balance my portfolio while riding the growth of America’s leading businesses.”
VanEck Vectors Luxury Goods ETF (LUX) – “Given my weakness for luxury items—cars, watches, and suits—I’d definitely want to take advantage of the luxury goods market. This ETF focuses on global luxury brands like LVMH and Richemont. It’s a way to capitalize on a sector I’m personally invested in, while also diversifying my portfolio.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “As someone who loves fast cars and thrives on disruption, Tesla would be a no-brainer. Elon Musk’s company is at the forefront of electric vehicles and renewable energy, and it has huge growth potential. Plus, owning a piece of Tesla would give me a front-row seat to the future of the automotive and energy sectors.”
Nvidia (NVDA) – “With my focus on tech innovation and the future, Nvidia’s position in the AI, gaming, and data center industries is exactly where I want to be. AI and machine learning are areas that I’d want to be heavily invested in, and Nvidia is a leader in this space with major upside potential as AI continues to take over.”
Square (SQ) – “As someone with business savvy, I’m always looking for innovative ways to disrupt traditional financial systems. Square, with its focus on simplifying payments and financial services for businesses, is a leader in fintech. With the continued rise of digital payments, Square is a stock I’d want to hold to capitalize on this booming sector.”
Ralph Lauren Corporation (RL) – “Ralph Lauren represents classic American luxury, offering high-end fashion, accessories, and home goods. The brand’s presence both in the U.S. and internationally makes it an appealing choice for me. Ralph Lauren’s ability to blend timeless style with modern luxury and its push into global markets make it a stock I want in my portfolio.”
Netflix (NFLX) – “Netflix has been a leader in streaming, but the competitive landscape has become more intense, with services like Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, and HBO Max all making significant strides. Netflix’s reliance on increasing subscription prices while trying to fight off password sharing might lead to subscriber losses. Add to that the pressure from growing content costs and competition, and I’d consider shorting Netflix as it may face growth struggles in the future.”
Coinbase (COIN) – “The cryptocurrency market is notoriously volatile, and with recent regulatory challenges, I think Coinbase is facing an uphill battle. While crypto has its place, the uncertainty around regulations and market fluctuations make Coinbase a risky bet. I’d short-sell this stock, betting on the turbulence to weigh it down.”
Ryan has a focus on innovation and luxury – ventures that can be highly profitable, but can also be very risky. To keep himself grounded, he does keep the SPY ETF in his portfolio (giving him a wide, diversified base), but he might want to rebalance his portfolio quickly if bad economic news started making headlines.
Tia is a meticulous and analytical individual who thrives in the world of numbers and technology, always seeking to optimize her life. She could spend hours doing puzzles or complex math-based games.
She can be described as:
Tia’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
Invesco QQQ Trust (QQQ) – “Technology is the future, and I love the idea of investing in innovative companies that drive the tech world forward. QQQ gives me exposure to the NASDAQ-100, which includes major tech giants, and aligns with my interest in tech and optimizing things in the digital space.”
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) – “I appreciate the idea of steady income and stability, so a bond ETF like this, which provides broad exposure to U.S. investment-grade bonds, sounds ideal. Bonds are generally less risky, and I value security in my investments, so this one fits my financial goals perfectly.”
iShares MSCI Emerging Markets ETF (EEM) – “I like to diversify my investments and take advantage of growth in emerging markets. EEM helps me achieve that, giving me exposure to developing economies that might offer higher growth potential over the long run.”
Apple (AAPL) – “I’m all about technology and innovation, and Apple is a leader in both. Their constant product upgrades and strong brand loyalty make it a solid long-term investment. Plus, with their consistent revenue and ability to generate cash flow, it aligns well with my strategy for steady growth and dividends.”
Microsoft (MSFT) – “Microsoft is another tech giant that I admire. Their focus on cloud computing and enterprise software is impressive, and I like how they’ve managed to adapt and stay relevant over time. The steady growth potential, coupled with a solid dividend, makes MSFT a perfect fit for my portfolio.”
Berkshire Hathaway (BRK.B) – “I value smart, long-term investing, and Berkshire Hathaway is the epitome of that philosophy. With Warren Buffett’s disciplined approach to value investing and the diversified nature of the company’s holdings, it’s an ideal stock for me to buy and hold for the long haul.”
Visa (V) – “Visa is one of the best stocks in the financial sector. I’m always looking for companies with strong competitive advantages, and Visa’s global network of payments and consistent profitability fit that bill. Plus, they benefit from the shift towards digital payments, which I believe will only grow.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “Tesla has experienced incredible growth, but I believe the stock is significantly overvalued at times, especially given the volatility and competition in the electric vehicle market. While Tesla is a leader, it faces increasing competition from both traditional automakers and new startups, which could impact its growth rate in the future. I am short selling because I believe the stock price is outpacing the fundamentals.”
Meta Platforms (META) – “Meta has been heavily investing in the Metaverse, but I’m skeptical about how quickly that market will develop. In the meantime, their core advertising business faces increasing competition, and regulatory pressures are growing. If I believe the stock is overestimating the potential of its long-term strategy, I’d consider short selling it, especially if the market sentiment shifts negatively.”
Tia is focused on keeping diversified and making smart investments. Her holdings in QQQ (an ETF that focuses in NASDAQ, with a lot of tech stocks), Apple, and Microsoft give her a bit more risk with technology stocks, but she is somewhat offsetting this with her broad-range ETFs and other holdings.
Maggie is a sentimental and practical individual who values stability and security, often prioritizing comfort and familiarity over adventure and risk.
She can be described as:
Maggie’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF (VIG) – “I like the idea of companies with a strong history of increasing their dividends. This ETF is full of established, reliable companies that focus on steady growth. It fits with my cautious nature since it focuses on companies that are financially stable.”
Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (BND) – “I appreciate the idea of steady income and stability, so a bond ETF like this, which provides broad exposure to U.S. investment-grade bonds, sounds ideal. Bonds are generally less risky, and I value security in my investments, so this one fits my financial goals perfectly.”
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) – “I’m not one to take crazy risks, but the S&P 500 is a solid, long-term performer. It’s a broad-market ETF that tracks the performance of 500 large companies in the U.S. This kind of stable, proven growth fits well with my long-term goals of financial security and building wealth for the future.”
Procter & Gamble (PG) – “Procter & Gamble is a well-established company that provides everyday household products. It has a long history of paying dividends and is known for its strong brand presence and consistent earnings. I like that it’s a company I can rely on to stay steady, especially in times of economic uncertainty.”
Coca-Cola (KO) – “Coca-Cola has been a reliable stock for years. It’s a big name in the beverage industry and has a track record of consistent dividends. I prefer these types of stable companies that have stood the test of time. Plus, it’s one of those brands people trust, which makes it feel like a safe bet in my eyes.”
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – “This company is a solid, long-standing healthcare giant. It’s known for its stability, even during economic downturns. Johnson & Johnson also pays reliable dividends, which aligns with my preference for steady, predictable income. Plus, healthcare is a necessity, so I feel secure investing in it for the long haul.”
Walmart (WMT) – “Walmart is a giant in the retail sector and a company that has managed to adapt over time. It’s a consistent performer with a solid dividend history, making it a good choice for my strategy. Plus, in tough economic times, people still need to buy essentials, which adds a layer of stability to Walmart’s performance.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “While Tesla has been a darling of the stock market for years, its volatility and the uncertainty surrounding its valuation make it a potential candidate for short-selling. The stock price has been extremely high compared to traditional valuation metrics, and there are risks related to its competition in the electric vehicle (EV) market, regulatory issues, and CEO Elon Musk’s unpredictable behavior. This could lead to a significant price correction, making it a potential short-sell pick for someone like me who’s more cautious and prefers stability.”
Meta Platforms (META) – “I’m wary of big tech companies like Meta because of their increasing regulatory scrutiny, privacy issues, and the growing backlash against their business practices. These challenges might negatively impact their long-term stability, and I’d consider short-selling their stock if I thought these problems would drive their value down over time.”
Maggie is not a risk-taker, and her portfolio shows it. She has a strong emphasis on broad-market ETFs and stocks that pay dividends – so she does not need to focus so much on the daily ups and downs of her portfolio.
Jesse is a driven and resourceful individual who embodies the spirit of a true go-getter, always striving to achieve her goals and live life on her own terms. She is athletic and plays competitive volleyball.
She can be described as:
Jesse’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI) – “This ETF provides broad exposure to the entire U.S. stock market, including small, mid, and large-cap stocks. I like this one because it’s a diversified, low-cost option that fits my long-term goal of wealth-building while minimizing risk.”
iShares MSCI Global Impact ETF (SDG) – “I’m passionate about sustainability and the environment, and this ETF invests in companies that are aligned with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. This would let me invest in companies that are focused on positive change, like those in renewable energy and health innovation.”
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) – “The S&P 500 has been historically a solid performer, and since I’m practical in my investment approach, I’d lean on this well-established fund for exposure to large-cap U.S. companies. It’s reliable, and I trust it will give me solid returns over time.”
Peloton (PTON) – “Since I’m passionate about health and fitness, Peloton makes sense as a stock pick. The company is a leader in home fitness equipment and subscriptions, and with the ongoing trend toward health and wellness, I think it’s a strong contender for long-term growth in the fitness space.”
NextEra Energy (NEE) – “Renewable energy is something I’m really invested in, both personally and financially. NextEra Energy is one of the largest producers of wind and solar energy, and it’s a company that embodies the future of clean energy. This fits my value of sustainability and my interest in long-term, stable investments.”
Johnson & Johnson (JNJ) – “With my health-conscious mindset, I like the idea of investing in a company that focuses on healthcare products, medical devices, and pharmaceuticals. Johnson & Johnson is a stable, dividend-paying company that could provide steady returns while aligning with my values of improving overall well-being.”
Amazon (AMZN) – “Amazon is a no-brainer for me in terms of growth. It’s an e-commerce and cloud computing giant, and its influence continues to expand. While it’s a more traditional pick, I’d choose Amazon for its consistent growth potential, innovation in various sectors, and ability to adapt to market changes.”
Carnival Corporation (CCL) – “Given the ongoing changes in the travel and hospitality industry, especially in the wake of the pandemic, I’d consider shorting Carnival. The cruise industry has been significantly impacted by health concerns, and the shift toward more sustainable travel options could put further pressure on this sector. With Carnival’s heavy reliance on cruise line revenue, I think it faces a challenging future, making it a potential short-sell candidate.”
GameStop (GME) – “GameStop is a prime example of a stock driven more by hype and speculative trading than actual business fundamentals. Although there was a brief meme-stock surge, I believe that GameStop’s business model is outdated in the face of digital gaming trends and the decline of physical retail. I’d short GameStop because I think its stock is overvalued and will likely see a correction as its underlying business struggles to adapt.”
Jesse’s portfolio is fairly diversified – with a big emphasis on broad-market ETFs. She is generally setting herself up for a longer-term outlook and (hopefully) slow, steady returns.
Esteban is fascinated by space since he was a kid. He loves reading and writing science fiction, and his dry sense of humor is loved by his friends and classmates (and tolerated by his teachers). He effortlessly gets good grades.
He can be described as:
Esteban’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
ARK Innovation ETF (ARKK) – “This fund is all about investing in disruptive technologies, and I’m all for that. It holds companies working on breakthroughs in areas like AI, space exploration, and blockchain, which is right up my alley. Plus, the future of tech is the future of everything, right?”
Grayscale Bitcoin Trust (GBTC) – “Since I believe in decentralized finance and cryptos, this trust that gives me exposure to Bitcoin fits perfectly with my money philosophy. I’m not an active trader, but I definitely believe Bitcoin is part of the future financial system.”
Vanguard Total World Stock ETF (VT) – “As a long-term thinker, I like broad exposure to the global stock market, and this one allows me to do that. It’s low-cost, and with my horizon being years down the line, it’s a solid pick for passive growth while I focus on my bigger goals.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “Elon Musk’s vision for the future, from electric cars to space travel, aligns perfectly with my view of a future that’s powered by technology and innovation. Tesla is at the forefront of not only electric vehicles but also sustainable energy solutions and even space tech through SpaceX. It’s a company that blends the future of transportation with a dash of rebellion, which I totally vibe with.”
MicroStrategy (MSTR) – “I’m not just into the idea of cryptocurrencies; I believe they represent a fundamental shift in how money works. Since I prefer long-term holds over trading, I’d look at something like MicroStrategy, which holds a large Bitcoin position. I’m more into the philosophy of decentralized finance than trading for short-term gains.”
Nvidia (NVDA) – “AI, machine learning, and blockchain all depend on advanced graphics processing, and Nvidia is the company making the hardware for the next wave of these technologies. As a fan of disruptive technologies, Nvidia is a perfect match. Plus, its role in AI and gaming can power the future in ways that are hard to predict, but undeniably exciting.”
Palantir Technologies (PLTR) – “As someone who loves to debate ideas, play Devil’s advocate, and dive deep into understanding the world, Palantir’s work in data analysis and AI-driven decision-making would be an exciting area for me. The company focuses on gathering and analyzing massive amounts of data, which is crucial for everything from national security to understanding our universe on a deeper level.”
GameStop (GME) – “While the meme-stock frenzy might have been fun for some, I’m not convinced GameStop has a sustainable future in the long term. The company is struggling with transitioning from physical stores to digital, and it’s competing with giants like Amazon and digital game platforms that are more suited for the future. Its stock price was inflated by hype rather than solid fundamentals, and I think it’s a risky bet for the long-term.”
AMC Entertainment (AMC) – “Similar to GameStop, AMC was caught in the meme-stock bubble, with its price driven up by retail investors rather than business fundamentals. Movie theaters face increasing competition from streaming platforms, and post-pandemic, the industry has been struggling. The shift in entertainment consumption habits, especially among younger generations, makes me skeptical that AMC will return to its glory days.”
Esteban’s head is in the clouds – literally. He has a strong focus on investments in space and cryptocurrencies – very lopsided in some very risky bets.
Eric is a rugged and energetic handyman who thrives on action and competition, always looking for the next challenge or project to tackle with his hands-on skills and booming personality. He used to play football in school, and now plays recreational softball on weekends.
He can be described as:
Eric’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY) – “This one’s a classic. It’s a solid, broad-based investment in the stock market, which is perfect for my long-term goal of becoming a millionaire. I want to play it safe but still see good returns over time.”
Vanguard Consumer Discretionary ETF (VCR) – “Since I love tools, sports gear, and all things related to building and creating, this ETF focuses on companies that produce those types of goods. It’s a good way to get exposure to the consumer brands I love.“
iShares MSCI All Country World Index ETF (ACWI) – “Since I want to travel the world someday and enjoy my golden years, I’d like to diversify my investments globally. This ETF gives me exposure to international markets, and I’m all about securing my future no matter where the opportunities are.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “I’m all about innovation, and Tesla’s revolutionizing the automotive industry. Plus, I’ve always had a thing for cars—especially muscle cars. Tesla’s electric vehicles and their push toward a sustainable future resonate with my desire to build something great.”
Home Depot (HD) – “As a handyman, Home Depot’s the go-to place for tools, building materials, and DIY projects. Investing in a company I already love and frequent would make a lot of sense. It’s reliable and tied to my passion for creating and fixing things.”
Nike (NKE) – “I’ve always had a competitive edge, especially with sports, and Nike’s brand is synonymous with that. They’re not just about shoes; they represent strength, performance, and pushing yourself to the limit. Plus, I’m sure a lot of folks would agree—Nike’s one of those companies that never stops innovating.”
Caterpillar (CAT) – “I’m into things that are built to last, and Caterpillar’s heavy machinery and equipment are the epitome of that. Whether it’s construction, mining, or farming, Caterpillar’s equipment is essential for getting big projects done, and they’ve been a leader in the industry for years.”
General Electric (GE) – “GE has struggled to keep up with the times and maintain its status as a leader in the industrial sector. The company has faced leadership issues, restructuring, and a decline in its core business. I’d be skeptical about GE’s ability to make a strong comeback, so I am short selling this one.”
Macy’s (M) – “Retail’s been going through a lot of changes with the rise of e-commerce, and Macy’s, while still a household name, is struggling to adapt. With the shift to online shopping and changing consumer habits, Macy’s brick-and-mortar stores could face a tough road ahead. I’d short sell it because I don’t see it bouncing back as easily as other retailers that are embracing e-commerce fully.”
Eric’s portfolio has a focus on broad-range (with his wide-net ETFs) and durable sustainability. His choice of Tesla can be seen as a bit riskier – but that is to help him reach his long-term goals.
Amira is a creative and empathetic individual who thrives in the world of art and self-expression, always seeking to inspire and uplift those around her.
She can be described as:
Amira’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
iShares MSCI ACWI Low Carbon Target ETF (CRBN) – “I believe in the power of sustainability and want to make a positive impact on the environment. This ETF focuses on companies with lower carbon emissions, which aligns with my values of environmental consciousness and creating a better world for future generations.”
iShares Global Clean Energy ETF (ICLN) – “I feel deeply connected to the idea of clean energy and sustainability. This ETF invests in companies involved in renewable energy, like solar and wind, which speaks to my desire to support the future of sustainable technologies and protect the planet.”
YWCA Women’s Empowerment ETF (WOMN) – “I really appreciate the mission behind the YWCA Women’s Empowerment ETF (WOMN). It aligns with my desire to uplift others and make a positive impact in the world. The focus on women’s empowerment, gender equality, and social justice really resonates with me, especially because I believe in spreading joy and positivity.”
Etsy (ETSY) – “I love Etsy because it’s a platform that empowers independent artists, crafters, and creators like me to share our unique work with the world. It really resonates with my passion for creativity and supporting other artists who are following their own artistic visions.”
Adobe (ADBE) – “As an artist, Adobe is a brand I deeply admire. Their tools are essential for digital creators like myself, and I love how they empower people to express their creativity. Investing in Adobe feels like supporting a company that fuels the artistic process and encourages innovation in the creative world.”
Beyond Meat (BYND) – “I’m really drawn to Beyond Meat because of its commitment to sustainability and compassion. As someone who values ethical choices, I love that they are transforming the food industry by offering plant-based alternatives to meat. It aligns with my belief in supporting companies that prioritize the planet and promote healthier, more sustainable lifestyles.”
ExxonMobil (XOM) – “Given my strong commitment to sustainability and protecting the environment, I would likely consider short-selling ExxonMobil. The company’s heavy involvement in fossil fuels and the significant role it plays in climate change doesn’t align with my values. I’d rather support companies that prioritize the planet’s well-being over profit.”
Altria Group (MO) – “As someone who deeply values empathy and health, I’m not comfortable supporting a company like Altria, which is heavily invested in the tobacco industry. The health risks associated with smoking and the industry’s past of misleading advertising don’t align with my desire to promote well-being and social responsibility.”
Amira’s portfolio is strongly based on her personal convictions and putting her money where her mouth is – not so much looking for a profit or short-term gains.
Chet is a laid-back and carefree individual who lives in the moment, often prioritizing short-term pleasures over long-term consequences.
He can be described as:
Chet’s investing portfolio is a mix of ETFs and stocks.
Invesco QQQ ETF (QQQ) – “I’m all about tech, and the QQQ tracks some of the biggest names in tech like Apple, Amazon, and Google. This is perfect for me since I love gadgets and gaming, and this ETF is packed with the companies behind them.”
VanEck Video Gaming and eSports ETF (ESPO) – “Since I’m a huge gamer, the ESPO ETF is right up my alley. It focuses on the gaming and eSports industries, so I can invest in the companies making the games and tech I love.”
SPDR Consumer Discretionary Select Sector ETF (XLY) – “I love treating myself to the latest gadgets, and the XLY ETF focuses on consumer-focused companies like Amazon and Tesla. It’s a good match for my spending habits, since it’s all about those fun, discretionary purchases.”
Electronic Arts (EA) – “Since I’m a huge gamer, I’d definitely go for Electronic Arts. They make some of my favorite games, like FIFA and Apex Legends, and they’re a major player in the gaming industry.”
Tesla (TSLA) – “I’ve always been fascinated by Tesla’s tech, and their electric cars are the future. Plus, they’re always coming up with cool new innovations. I’d buy Tesla because it’s exciting and a fun company to follow.”
Nvidia (NVDA) – “I’m all about gaming, and Nvidia makes some of the best graphics cards for gaming PCs. They’re at the top of their game in terms of tech and innovation, so investing in Nvidia just makes sense to me.”
Amazon (AMZN) – “I buy so many things on Amazon, and I know I’m not alone. They dominate e-commerce and are always innovating. I’d pick up Amazon stock because they’re not just about shopping—they’re into tech, cloud computing, and entertainment, which is all stuff I’m into.”
Pfizer – PFE – “I’m not really into investing in the big pharma industry. It feels too slow and conservative for me. I short-sell a stock like Pfizer, since they don’t excite me the way tech companies do. Plus, there’s a lot of volatility in the sector, so I bet against it.”
Macy’s – M – “I’m all about the convenience of online shopping, and I know a lot of people feel the same way. I short-sell a traditional retailer like Macy’s because their business model doesn’t match the way people are shopping these days. They’re too stuck in the past, and I don’t think they’ll keep up with e-commerce.”
Chet’s portfolio has a lot of technology – focus on growth and consumer goods, but not very diversified. This means he can make big gains if the tech sector does well while he is investing, but is pretty risky if tech takes a downturn.
April is Financial Literacy Month, and we are celebrating with our 6th annual Spring Financial Literacy Challenge! It ran for the month of April, 2025
The April Financial Literacy Challenge is our annual free world-wide budgeting and investing competition open to all K-12 schools. Students will be challenged to build and maintain a budget for a simulated year – 6 months as a college student with a part-time job, and 6 months as a freshly-graduated full-time worker. As students play through the budgeting game, they have the opportunity to transfer some of their savings to their Stock Game brokerage account to build up an investment portfolio and compete in the investing portion of the challenge!
Students participating in their challenge also had the opportunity to nominate their teachers for an Outstanding Teacher Award, based on how much they brought financial literacy to life in the classroom. Here are this year’s recipients of of our Outstanding Teacher Award:
I am nominated Mrs. Back because she has dedicated so much of her time into helping us understand finance much better. But she’s not just a great teacher, but also a friend. All the kids at this school know that they can go to Mrs. Back for just about anything. Tons of kids sit in her room during lunch because it is a place where we feel safe and comfortable. Mrs. Back has prevented me from making may financial mistakes, and I do not regret taking her class at all. She answers every question I have, which is a ton, and she does it happily. She has helped tons of kids get jobs, scholarships, internships, and so much more. You can tell she truly loves what she does, and you can tell that she cares about us as more than students. There are not enough words to explain how much Mrs. Back does for her students, and ones that aren’t hers as well. I knew just about nothing before I joined her class, This year I applied for a credit card while understanding all pros and cons, and did my own taxes for the first time! I’ve learned so much from this class, and from Mrs. Back, and I can’t wait to continue to do that!
Mrs. Decker is my Personal Finance teacher, and without her I would have never been prepared for my future in not only finance but in life. Her class is truly a Life 101, because it not only teaches about taxes, budgeting, investing, insurance, jobs, and so much more, but she also teaches how we can use that to better ourselves and society as a whole. Mrs. Decker makes the activities and lessons challenging, but in a fun and productive way so that we as a student may learn how to properly manage our finances and our careers effectively so that we may grow overall. Before Personal Finance with Mrs. Decker, I thought I was well educated in the world of finance, but I was very wrong. I had no clue that things ever existed like an W-4 or an I-9, or how to invest, or things such as the difference in taxes based on where you live; not only these things, but so much more. I would have never been as prepared for my life beyond High School if it wasn’t for the effectiveness of Mrs. Decker’s financial literacy that she implements into her classroom. Please consider nominating Karen Decker for this award!
When I first walked into Mr. Soldi’s classroom, I was surprised at how he did not have textbooks, PowerPoints, or Canvas. I thought financial literacy was just about budgeting or balancing a checkbook, learned from watching videos on Canvas. I did not expect to walk out months later with a profound interest in finance, a deep understanding of investment principles, and most importantly, a sense of confidence in my ability to make wise decisions. Mr. Soldi has not only taught me the mechanics of money but has completely reshaped how I view my future. For that reason, I am nominating him as someone who has made an extraordinary impact in my life and in the lives of many others through this education.
Mr. Soldi does not just teach finance; rather, he lives it, breathes it, and communicates it in a way that feels urgent, practical, and empowering. He brings energy to topics that most students would otherwise find abstract or intimidating. Whether we were learning how to build a diversified investment portfolio or how credit scores affect our ability to make major purchases, Mr. Soldi always tied each concept back to the real world. His lessons were like preparation for life, which sets his class completely apart from the traditional setting classes.
One of the most impactful aspects of Mr. Soldi’s teaching was how he never handed us answers, but instead he gave us space to think. Instead of walking us through every step, he often just let me try things on my own, even if I did not fully know what I was doing at first. At first, that freedom felt overwhelming, but I quickly realized it was intentional. He created an environment where making mistakes was not failure, but rather part of the learning process. Whether we were building a budget, investigating the stock market, or starting a mock investment, Mr. Soldi would simply step back and let us explore. When I got stuck, he never gave me the answer outright. He would ask the right question or point me in a direction that helped me figure it out myself. Over time, that taught me to trust my instincts, solve problems independently, and approach challenges with confidence. He did not just teach me finance; he taught me the way to think.
Another powerful way Mr. Soldi shaped my understanding of financial literacy was by bringing in guest speakers who lived and breathed the subjects we were learning about. He connected us with people who had real-world experience: businessmen, financial advisors, real estate developers, CEOs, and former students who had successfully navigated financial challenges. They shared honest stories about failure, success, risk, and the lessons they learned along the way. Hearing directly from professionals gave us a perspective that no classroom lecture could replicate. It made everything feel real. Suddenly, I started feeling terms like “equity,” “diversification,” or “passive income” as strategies people actually used to build their lives. Mr. Soldi used these voices not only to inspire us but to show us that financial literacy was not some abstract concept. It was a tool we could use to shape our future, starting right now in his classroom.
Every day after school, I have seen him stay after class helping students who have been contemplating with fear of investment, schoolwork, political issues, or even life decisions. He dismantles that fear with patience, precision, and a lot of passion. He creates a safe environment where no attempt is “dumb” and every student feels encouraged to give it a try.
Thanks to Mr. Soldi, I have opened my eyes to finance, started my own investment portfolio, learned how to build a budget, and begun thinking critically about my career choices and their long-term financial implications. But even more importantly, I now carry a mindset of curiosity and caution. I have learned how to ask questions, seek reliable information, and avoid the many financial traps that young people often fall into.
Other teachers have prepared me for mere tricks to get through the exams. Mr. Soldi has prepared me for real life. While most teachers focused on delivering content, Mr. Soldi focused on transforming mindsets. He did not want us to memorize terms or follow formulas; he wanted us to understand how the world works and how we could take control of our place in it. In other classes, I was waiting for the bell, wanting to leave as soon as I could. In Mr. Soldi’s classes, I hated to hear the bell, wanting to stay after class and come visit. He challenged me to question everything, to think critically, and to take ownership of my future. He did not teach for the grade–he taught for life. That’s the difference: other teachers prepared me for school, but Mr. Soldi prepared me for the world.
His impact goes far beyond the classroom walls. Alumni and graduating students still come back to thank him for giving them the confidence on their instinct. Mr. Soldi’s reach is exponential, not because he preaches, but because he empowers. Every student who walks away from his class with new skills and stronger confidence is another person less likely to fall into financial despair and more likely to make informed, responsible decisions.
In a world where financial illiteracy can mean the difference between stability and hardship, Mr. Soldi is doing the work of a hero, quietly, consistently, and passionately, in the middle of a desert starved of financial literacy. Even though he does not seek recognition, he certainly deserves it. His dedication to financial education has shaped and will shape the futures of countless others. He is an ideal model of a teacher that possibly every teacher in the world should follow, and I can think of no one more deserving of this nomination than Mr. Soldi. Gift cards seem like miniscule gifts compared to what he has done, and he deserves much more.
Congratulations to all of the winners!
Schools with an active site license to PersonalFinanceLab will be invited to join our next National Competition this Fall, and all other schools will be invited to join our 7th annual Financial Literacy Month competition in April 2026!
-The PFinLab Team
Teachers – do you want to get full access to PersonalFinanceLab for your classes this Fall, including the ability to create your own sessions, dates, assignments, and settings? Request pricing from our sales team!
We hope you are as excited as we are, because we have some major updates for your classes this Spring!
From financial math and calculators, to comparison shopping games, to bug fixes and improvements, stay tuned to see what we have in store for your spring classes!
If you want to learn more about these new features, watch our webinar here!
First up is our new Comparison Shopping Mini-Game. We call it a “mini-game” because it is a short game added to our Personal Budgeting Game. Students can practice their comparison shopping skills every weekend of the game by choosing “Household Chores”.
Next up, we have a major addition to our Financial Math Lesson Library – 6 new lessons covering everything from future value to vacation planning, and mortgage payments to logarithms!
By popular demand, we’ve added a new lesson on Accelerated Debt Repayment Strategies, featuring the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche approaches! This has been added to our “Credit” unit of our Personal Finance Curriculum Library.
Next, we’ve released 8 new and updated interactive financial calculators! This includes our new house payment calculator (combining a mortgage payment calculator with PMI, homeowner’s association, escrow, and more), a Rent vs Buy comparison, an updated Millionaire Calculator, and more!
Last but not least, we’ve released a major re-working of the budget game monthly sequence of play! Now students will create their monthly Savings Goals, choose what to do over the weekend, and complete the month as their own separate Events in the game, instead of tying into the “die roll” used to move forward through time. This will help ensure students monthly activities happen in sequence, with less confusion when many events might happen in a single roll.
We hope you are as excited for these updates as we were building them!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team
To celebrate the New Year, everyone here at PersonalFinanceLab is excited to announce our brand-new calculators, available now for all Personal Finance classes as part of our Financial Literacy Curriculum!
Each calculator was developed and released to be part of a lesson on financial literacy – this semester we focused mainly on compound interest, loans, and debt repayment.
Note: to preview each calculator, you will need to log into your PersonalFinanceLab teacher account. If you do not yet have an account, sign up for our Teacher Test Drive to try it out!
This was the first new calculator we released back in the Fall of 2024. This basic calculator shows how an investment grows over time, and even includes a breakdown of how different types of compounding impact how an investment will grow.
Our Saving to be a Millionaire calculator has been one of our most popular for almost 10 years – which is why this semester we released a huge update and modern version for classes!
The Millionaire Calculator asks students their current age, target age, how much they can afford to save each month, and how much they expect to earn on their investments. It then projects out into the future to see if they can reach a million dollars by their target age. If not, it provides suggestions (such as increasing your monthly savings, or targeting a higher rate of return) to try to help hit their goal.
Our Future Value Calculator is an addition to one of our new financial math lessons on – you guessed it – future value! This simple calculator shows students how much a potential investment will be in the future, including factoring in different types of compounding.
Our Mortgage Calculator is a feature in our new financial math lesson on Mortgage Math and Ratios, and shows students their amortized payment breakdown for the entire duration of a mortgage loan. Students can choose their home price, interest rate, down payment, and even mortgage term. What sets this calculator apart is that it even includes PMI as a factor in payments, until PMI is no longer required.
Our Payment Calculator is the first calculator we introduced as part of our Rent vs Buy financial math lesson. This calculator replicates the “PMT” function of common spreadsheet applications, but is supercharged specifically for mortgages by also including homeowner’s association, home maintenance costs, PMI, and escrow (property tax and homeowner’s insurance) payments into the combined function – giving students a much more accurate picture of how much monthly costs to truly expect when buying a home.
Our Equity Calculator is the second calculator we introduced as part of our Rent vs Buy financial math lesson. This calculator is used to illustrate to students how making regular payments on an amortized loan builds up equity over time – and that equity is an important factor in the final take-home cash when selling a home.
This is the final calculator we introduced as part of our Rent vs Buy financial math lesson. This calculator combines the detail of the Mortgage Payment Calculator, the equity built over time from our Equity Calculator, and uses Future Value calculations to project a person’s net worth if they were to rent (investing the cash they have available in down payment now) vs buy (using money saved from total mortgage payment being less than rent to invest in the future).
It then provides students with a clear projection of both scenarios based on their inputs (including how long until they next plan to move), and a clear “winner” for their own personal situation!
This calculator is a cornerstone of our new lesson on the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche accelerated debt repayment strategies. This calculator takes a set of existing debts (which may be amortized – like a car loan, or revolving – like a credit card), and applies both the Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche repayment strategies to each, so students can visualize how their debt repayments might differ (including which is the cheapest total and which gets out of debt the fastest for their unique scenario).
We have new calculators (and updates to our old ones) coming throughout the Spring and Summer – we hope you are excited to use these in class as we were to build them!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team
We are excited as ever to announce the latest addition to our Personal Finance Curriculum Library – our interactive lesson on Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche!
Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche refers to two accelerated debt repayment techniques, which can save a person trying to get out of debt tens of thousands of dollars, and pay off their debts years faster than when making minimum payments. The concept works by taking a little extra cash each month, and paying off each debt one at a time. When each debt is paid off, that debt’s payment is “rolled” into the next debt as additional payments towards principle. So while your total monthly payments stay constant through the payment plan, debts get paid off faster and faster as time goes on.
The primary difference between “Debt Snowball” and “Debt Avalanche” is the order that you would pay off each debt – and you can read the full lesson to learn more!
Note: you will require a PersonalFinanceLab login to access this lesson. If you do not already have a teacher account, you can sign up for our Teacher Test Drive to access!
The best part of our latest lesson is that it includes an interactive calculator to visualize exactly how each debt is paid off, with each method – making it easy for students to see these payment plans in action!
The Debt Snowball and Avalanche lesson is just the latest addition to our Financial Literacy Resource Library, included with our stock and budgeting games for all classrooms! We hope your students take away the fact that powerful techniques exist to help them stay on top of their finances!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team
Financial math is more important than ever – and we are here to support teachers along the way! These new topics generally build on the more basic lessons in our personal finance curriculum library, with additional complexity and examples to make them at home in a class focusing on financial algebra.
This spring, we are dropping one of our most exciting content updates yet – with 6 new lessons focusing on topics in financial algebra. These topics include our lesson on Limits and Logs, Discretionary Expenses & Central Tendency, Planning a Vacation on a Budget, Future Value and Investment Returns, Mortgage Math and Ratios, and Rent vs Buy: Which Home is Right For You!
You can find more information on each lesson below. To view the lessons, you will need to be logged in with your PersonalFinanceLab teacher account, or sign up for our free Teacher Test Drive!
Our first lesson teaches students about creating a model featuring decreasing returns to scale by leveraging logarithms in a function, and jumping from logs to limits to show how even summing an infinite series can still have a maximum point.
This is done through the lens of understanding their own personal spending and saving preferences to answer the fundamental question: how much is a dollar tomorrow worth to you today?
This lesson is all about understanding mean, median, mode, and what a “skew” means for each. The lesson also incorporates histogram charts to show how “mode” measures can be applied in a wide range of comparisons, and is anchored in examples of a student trying to understand how their current spending habits compare to their peers – and what it means for their long-term savings goals.
This lesson is all about variables – independent, dependent, lurking. Then it jumps across into central tendency, all in the service of planning the perfect (and most affordable) vacation!
Students walk through comparing hotel and flight costs for 5 different cities, then jump into measuring “wish-list” food costs to establish a complete (and accurate) budget for the trip
This lesson is all about Future Value, and hammering home how the formula comes into play in a variety of lifetime financial decisions. The lesson starts with a basic reminder on compound interest, grows into examples with savings accounts, saving to buy a car, and finishes with showing how to use the Future Value formula to evaluate complex spending and saving decisions across multiple time horizons.
Our lesson on mortgage math and ratios focuses on all the math that goes into buying a home. We start out by talking about key affordability ratios (both how they are calculated and why they are important), and transition into down payments, bank risk & PMI, the nuts and bolts of amortization, refinancing, total profit (or loss) on the sale of a property, and pack it all in together with our advanced Mortgage Calculator, with dynamic graphs for students to easily visualize everything happening behind the scenes!
Our final new lesson talks about the complex decision of choosing to buy or rent. It walks through the Opportunity Cost of using a down payment towards another investment, factoring increases in rent and home ownership over time, walks through both future value and mortgage payment formulas (both long-form and spreadsheet formulas).
The lesson concludes with a one-of-a-kind calculator that takes a student’s inputs for two different properties (one rented and one buying), and shows the financial impact of both choices for as long as they intend to live in the home.
These new lessons are not just great for financial math – the inclusion of many integrated calculators makes them a great addition to every personal finance class! Stay tuned for our next update with even more resources for your class!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team
Knowing how to comparison shop for the best deal is a a fundamental skill for every consumer. Different package sizes, different perceived quality, and different prices can be confusing to navigate, especially for young people. This is why we are so excited to add our “Comparison Shopping” mini-game to our personal budgeting game!
The Comparison Shopping game launches as part of our Weekend Events, launching when the user chooses to take care of their Household Chores for the week.
This will take the user to the grocery store, where they need to stop in for 3 items on their shopping list. For each item on their list, they will see 3 alternatives, each with its own price, quantity, and quality score.
The challenge for students is to balance the Quality, Quantity, and Price for each of the alternatives to choose which option to buy.
After the user chooses all 3 items, they are taken to the “checkout” for their final score:
Two types of points are earned:
As some items will randomly go on-sale with each visit to the grocery store, the “best deal” might change from week to week – keeping users on their toes!
The Comparison Shopping game joins the Wealth Whiz Quiz in our new suite of mini-games to keep students engaged – and learning – as they play through the budgeting game! We hope your class has as much fun playing the game as we did building it!
If you want to try either of our mini-games, but your school does not yet have a license for PersonalFinanceLab, you can sign up for our Teacher Test Drive to give it a spin!
Happy Learning!
-The PersonalFinanceLab Team.
In today’s complex financial landscape, Arizona teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the financial futures of their students, and it starts with providing them with the right resources to learn. PersonalFinanceLab was designed to engage your students with hands-on learning experiences, making complex financial concepts more accessible and fun to learn.
Click on the link below to see how our learning materials align specifically to Arizona’s History and Social Science Standards.
When you get a site license on PersonalFinanceLab, you get more than just the self-grading lessons and the fully customizable Budget and Stock Games. You also get a host of ready-to-go course outlines, lesson plans, presentations and financial literacy videos. Everything you need to supplement your existing curriculum, and bring personal finance to life!
If you’re new to teaching personal finance, you’ll find everything you need to structure your course in each of our course outlines. You’ll have time estimations per activity as well as a suggested sequence of tasks that make the most of the games and lessons available on PersonalFinanceLab.
Includes a pacing guide for a personal finance course with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
Includes a pacing guide for a shorter timeframe, with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
For afterschool programs, summer programs or condensed courses to make the most of PersonalFinanceLab in little time.
Our team is adding new lesson plans all the time to our collection of downloadable pdfs on investing, personal finance and economics topics. Each one includes challenge questions and key vocabulary words to review with your class. You’ll also get suggested individual, group and full class activities that reinforce key financial literacy standards with fun and engaging projects or tasks.
You will also get access to dozens of presentations (available in both PowerPoint and Google Slides) covering topics like:
Did you know, we also make our own animated videos? Not only do we have tutorial videos for how your students can invest in all the different asset classes, (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptos etc.) as well as how-to videos on how to play the Budget Game. But we have a growing list of short videos that teach your students about key concepts. Check out one of our latest videos on Compound Interest, or click this button to see our full Video Library.
In today’s complex financial landscape, Arkansas teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the financial futures of their students, and it starts with providing them with the right resources to learn. PersonalFinanceLab was designed to engage your students with hands-on learning experiences, making complex financial concepts more accessible and fun to learn.
The Arkansas financial literacy requirements emphasize equipping students with the knowledge and skills needed for lifelong financial well-being, covering crucial topics such as employment, credit, money management, insurance, and savings/investing. The Arkansas personal finance standards, developed in collaboration with the Arkansas Financial Education Commission, articulate clear expectations for personal finance education, requiring schools to address these core competencies through various methods such as a stand-alone personal finance or economics course. These personal finance education requirements include concepts like creating a budget, understanding interest rates, managing debt, and making informed investment decisions.
Click on the link below to see how our learning materials align specifically to Arkansas Personal Finance Standards.
When you get a site license on PersonalFinanceLab, you get more than just the self-grading lessons and the fully customizable Budget and Stock Games. You also get a host of ready-to-go course outlines, lesson plans, presentations and financial literacy videos. Everything you need to supplement your existing curriculum, and bring personal finance to life!
If you’re new to teaching personal finance, you’ll find everything you need to structure your course in each of our course outlines. You’ll have time estimations per activity as well as a suggested sequence of tasks that make the most of the games and lessons available on PersonalFinanceLab.
Includes a pacing guide for a personal finance course with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
Includes a pacing guide for a shorter timeframe, with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
For afterschool programs, summer programs or condensed courses to make the most of PersonalFinanceLab in little time.
Our team is adding new lesson plans all the time to our collection of downloadable pdfs on investing, personal finance and economics topics. Each one includes challenge questions and key vocabulary words to review with your class. You’ll also get suggested individual, group and full class activities that reinforce key financial literacy standards with fun and engaging projects or tasks.
You will also get access to dozens of presentations (available in both PowerPoint and Google Slides) covering topics like:
Did you know, we also make our own animated videos? Not only do we have tutorial videos for how your students can invest in all the different asset classes, (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptos etc.) as well as how-to videos on how to play the Budget Game. But we have a growing list of short videos that teach your students about key concepts. Check out one of our latest videos on Compound Interest, or click this button to see our full Video Library.
In today’s complex financial landscape, California teachers have a unique opportunity to shape the financial futures of their students, and it starts with providing them with the right resources to learn. PersonalFinanceLab was designed to engage your students with hands-on learning experiences, making complex financial concepts more accessible and fun to learn.
Click on the link below to see how our learning materials align specifically to California’s Financial Literacy Standards.
When you get a site license on PersonalFinanceLab, you get more than just the self-grading lessons and the fully customizable Budget and Stock Games. You also get a host of ready-to-go course outlines, lesson plans, presentations and financial literacy videos. Everything you need to supplement your existing curriculum, and bring personal finance to life!
If you’re new to teaching personal finance, you’ll find everything you need to structure your course in each of our course outlines. You’ll have time estimations per activity as well as a suggested sequence of tasks that make the most of the games and lessons available on PersonalFinanceLab.
Includes a pacing guide for a personal finance course with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
Includes a pacing guide for a shorter timeframe, with teacher packets, student packets, grading rubrics and class activities.
For afterschool programs, summer programs or condensed courses to make the most of PersonalFinanceLab in little time.
Our team is adding new lesson plans all the time to our collection of downloadable pdfs on investing, personal finance and economics topics. Each one includes challenge questions and key vocabulary words to review with your class. You’ll also get suggested individual, group and full class activities that reinforce key financial literacy standards with fun and engaging projects or tasks.
You will also get access to dozens of presentations (available in both PowerPoint and Google Slides) covering topics like:
Did you know, we also make our own animated videos? Not only do we have tutorial videos for how your students can invest in all the different asset classes, (stocks, bonds, mutual funds, cryptos etc.) as well as how-to videos on how to play the Budget Game. But we have a growing list of short videos that teach your students about key concepts. Check out one of our latest videos on Compound Interest, or click this button to see our full Video Library.
