Consumer Education & Money Management
Are You Aware? 
- Animated interactive game to help you learn how to save money and save the planet's resources when you shop. (MIT)
CU Succeed® Teens' Financial Network - Resources and answers to questions about credit, saving, budgeting, jobs, and financing your college education (From an association of credit unions). The Mint offers 'all kinds of tips about what to do with your money'; for middle school and up (Northwestern Mutual Foundation).
Don't Buy It! - This site shows kids & teens how to see through advertisers' tricks and be smart shoppers (PBS). The quizzes and activities on Smart Girls: Get the Message are designed to help girls (middle school and up) see through the media messages and understand their effects (Girls, Inc., nonprofit organization). See also
Ad Decoder to learn the truth about the messages behind ads you see every day (CDC.gov).
Early Bird Savings Club - Basic lessons on spending and saving money; for elementary school students. Also explains what a credit union is, and the difference between banks and credit unions. (U.P. State Credit Union)
Economics Lesson Library - Selected links to lesson plans and activities for grades K-12, organized by topics. Covers budgets, debts, economic decision-making, production & consumption, supply & demand, and many more. Mostly for teachers (Nonprofit organization: Mid-continent Research for Education and Learning). See also Financial Education Lesson Plans, with separate sections for different age groups (Federal Reserve Bank of NY).
Energy-Saving Page 
- Information, activities, and interactive games train you to find the energy wasters in your home (Alliance to Save Energy).
Fed 101 - Quizzes and other interactive learning materials provide an introduction to the Federal Reserve System, its purpose and functions. For high school students.
History of the U.S. Income Tax - A brief overview of the origins of income taxes and the Internal Revenue Service, plus links to documents, articles, cartoons and quotes. High school and up (Library of Congress). See also History of the U.S. Tax System (US Treasury Department).
I Buy Different - This site helps you choose products that will help save trees, water, and energy. For teens. (World Wildlife Fund and Center for a New American Dream)
JumpStart Reality Check - Take this quiz to find out how much your 'dream life' (car, home, entertainment, etc.) will cost you once you're out on your own - and what kind of job you'll need to pay for it! For kids & teens. (Non-profit organization)
Kids Bank - Explains the basics of money and banking; for elementary school students. (Sovereign Bank)
Price of Happiness - A lesson plan to help explore the connection between self-image, self-esteem, and advertising. Includes a questionnaire, handouts, and suggestions for related activities. For teachers and students, grades 8 to 12 (Media Awareness Network). See also Media Messages About Body Shape and Size (National Eating Disorders Association). For more about body image, eating disorders, and related topics, see South Plainfield Public Library's Health & Fitness homework links.
Secret History of the Credit Card - An investigative report on the credit industry, including 'Eight Things a Credit Card User Should Know' and a credit card quiz. Or you can watch the full video program online. High school and up (PBS).
Teen Consumer Scrapbook - Articles by teens and for teens covering a wide variety of subjects, including modeling agencies, cd clubs, cell phone plans, fast food, cosmetics, sports drinks, identity theft, and much more. Links. (Sponsored by Washington State Attorney General's Office)
What is a Dollar Worth? - Use this inflation calculator to compare how prices for goods & services have changed over the years; covers 1913-present. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)
What's My Score - Essential financial skills for teens. Sections include 'Headed for College', 'Renting an Apartment', 'Buying a Car', and 'Welcome to the Real World', plus Credit 101. You can also have fun while learning at
Financial Training Camp , offering multimedia games like the Financial Football, Smart Money Quiz Show, Road Trip to Savings, Ed's Bank, and Cash Puzzler. (Visa®)
World of Money - Explains what money is, the uses of money, how money is made, fakes & forgeries, and more (British Museum). See also Money: For Kids (Library of Congress), History of Money (Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis), and Fun Facts About Coins and Money (US Mint). For more on the history and technical aspects of money, see Secrets of Making Money (PBS).
