Helping Kids Achieve Financial Literacy

The budget includes fixed expenses such as rent, utilities, food and car insurance and gas. The trick is to cover all those expenses -- and have extra money for the unexpected -- while setting aside money every month toward savings.

Suddenly, it hits me. This game isn't necessarily aimed at preteens. It might be just the thing for college kids! No kidding, the next step has players choosing an apartment -- deciding whether it's better to live close to work so they can save on gas or in a larger apartment that allows pets. You're guaranteed to chuckle out loud at the scenarios offered.

Car insurance costs $55 a month. Then players have to decide on a food budget, with a reminder that cooking at home can save them money. The "fun" category includes money for concert tickets or movies. I don't want to spoil it for you -- or your kids. So take 15 minutes and sit down at the computer with them. Just go to www.mysavingsquest.com and either play the game or watch the demo.

(Teachers who find this program interesting can request additional classroom materials from A. G. Edwards.)

More Money Fun & Games

If you know where to look on the Web, there are many opportunities to get your kids involved in financial fun.

The Stock Market Game: This is a long-running project of the Investment Company Institute, the trade association for mutual funds. It gives students the opportunity to invest a hypothetical $100,000 in a real-time portfolio. The game teaches financial and economic concepts, so kids learn more than stock picking and trading. Many middle and high school teachers are using this "game" as a classroom project, and support materials are available. There are regional competitions and contests. While this is an online game, schools that do not have those resources can compete using a paper-based version.

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