Welcome to PersonalFinanceLab Run your own budget, invest virtual money in the real stock market, and learn how money actually works. Here’s everything you need to get started. Go to my dashboard (opens in a new tab) Getting started Open your dashboard Your games, lessons and progress all live there. Watch the tutorials Short videos Read More…

Your idea. Your business. Your pitch. Dream, Learn, Pitch is a business competition for middle and high school students. You come up with the idea, build the plan, and step up to pitch it. It’s all yours. I want in (opens in a new tab) Ever thought, “Someone should make that”? An app that fixes Read More…

Your idea. Your business. Your pitch. Dream, Learn, Pitch is a business competition for middle and high school students. You come up with the idea, build the plan, and step up to pitch it. It’s all yours. I want in (opens in a new tab) Ever thought, “Someone should make that”? An app that fixes Read More…

Welcome to PersonalFinanceLab Run your own budget, invest virtual money in the real stock market, and learn how money actually works. Here’s everything you need to get started. Go to my dashboard (opens in a new tab) Getting started Open your dashboard Your games, lessons and progress all live there. Watch the tutorials Short videos Read More…

Your idea. Your business. Your pitch. Dream, Learn, Pitch is a business competition for middle and high school students. You come up with the idea, build the plan, and step up to pitch it. It’s all yours. I want in (opens in a new tab) Your browser can’t play this video. Download it here. Ever Read More…

Vesting Vesting is the schedule that turns an employer’s retirement contributions into the employee’s money. Contributions you make yourself are yours as soon as they go in. The employer’s match becomes yours over time, often after a set number of years. If you leave before that schedule is finished, you can lose the part of Read More…

See Written Details Log in to your teacher account to access the reports below. Summary Report: Provides a high-level overview of your class session, displaying total student registrations, game participation stats, portfolio rules, and direct links for student registration and Google Classroom integration. Activity Report: Track overall class orders and executed trades over custom timeframes, Read More…

Unity Unity is the pull of “we.” You say yes because the product, team, or brand feels like your group, not because a stranger recommended it. Shared school, team, family, or fandom can all create that feeling. In one campus study, a student fundraiser raised more money by adding, “I’m a student here, too.” Brands Read More…

Thank you for participating in Dream – Learn – Pitch! You now have a fancy new badge you can show off on the PersonalFinanceLab Rankings page to show the rest of the state that you are working on your certified entrepreneurship program! Setting Your Active Badge Now that this badge has been added to your Read More…

Complete Teacher Onboarding Webinar Lesson Complete – Return to Dashboard

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Getting Students Registered See Written Details Congratulations! You just set-up your class, you should see the Class Creation Confirmation page featured below on your screen. To get your students registered, you have two options. Option 1 – Students Register Themselves Use this option if you want your students to choose their own usernames and passwords, Read More…

Creating and Managing Assignments See Written Details The final step in setting up your class is creating your first assignment. If you need more time to plan your lessons, you can click Skip this Step, and you’ll be brought to the class creation confirmation page. Click Copy an Older Assignment button to reuse a previous Read More…

Creating Your First Session See Written Details Create New Class To create your class, login with your teacher/admin account. From the main menu, hover over the Administrator dropdown menu. Then, select Create Session and you’ll be brought to the page you see below. If it’s your first time logging in, and you’ve never set-up a Read More…

Welcome to the platform! This is a practice session for new teachers to get acquainted with our system and set up their first class. You can practice making trades in the Stock Game, play through a year of the Budgeting Game, and generally familiarize yourself with the platform. We have a welcome “Assignment” set up Read More…

Additional Teacher Resources and Support Now you have seen the basics you need to set up your class – but we have a lot more resources available to make sure your classes are a success! Teacher’s Guide If you prefer to review everything in one place, check out our complete Teacher’s Guide! This is a Read More…

Preparing for Retirement – IRA and 401(k) Plans The earlier you start saving for retirement, the more comfortable you will be when you get there. Compare two people: Ryan Eric Thanks to the power of compound interest, Eric’s retirement portfolio never catches up to Ryan – in fact he doesn’t even come close. Using the Read More…

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Financial Resilience and Life Transitions Jada graduated in May and moved back home with her parents. She found a part-time retail job and had a plan to move into her own apartment by fall. In June, her car needed a $1,400 repair. Then in the middle of July her hours were cut. In August she Read More…

Career Readiness & Workplace Relationships Before you decide where you are going, you must know who you are. Most people assume career planning starts with searching job titles and educational requirements. In reality, it starts with an honest assessment of your values, interests, strengths, and goals. When you align your choices with your identity, you Read More…

Workplace Rights, Safety, and Equity in Canada Starting any new job can be stressful, especially near the beginning of your career when you have a lot to learn about your role, the company, and the industry you’re working in. Between 900 and 1,000 workers in Canada die from work-related causes in a typical year. In Read More…

Workplace Success, Safety & Employee Rights Mike and Tony both get paid $16 per hour. Mike’s warehouse posts schedules a week ahead, runs regular safety training, and has a written way to report problems. Tony’s job pays the same but swaps shifts by last-minute text, skips equipment checks when orders spike, and treats safety complaints Read More…

Consumer Psychology and Persuasion in Marketing Emma opened a headphone listing with no plan to buy. Low-stock alerts, a Best Seller badge, stacked reviews, an expert pick, and a sale countdown hit her in the first minute. Ten minutes later she had paid. The headphones had not changed—the page had run several persuasion cues in Read More…

Operations and Supply Chain Management A customer taps “Buy Now” on a phone. The payment clears. A confirmation email lands in seconds. That only happens if, earlier in the chain, a supplier shipped parts, a warehouse picked the order, and a carrier had room on the truck. When the chain breaks, you notice fast. The Read More…

Paying for Post-Secondary Education in Canada A Registered Education Savings Plan (RESP) is a Canadian savings account built for post-secondary education. Parents, guardians, or other contributors deposit money over many years, and the federal government may add matching grants on those contributions. When you enroll in an eligible program, those funds can help pay for Read More…

Market Research Maya runs a small snack-box subscription aimed at urban renters aged 18 to 24. Her segment profile looks solid on paper: young adults, limited kitchen space, late-night study habits. She has not asked a single potential customer whether they would pay $22 a month for curated snacks. Until she does, her target market Read More…

Career Development & Pathway Planning “What do you want to be when you grow up?” is often the first career question anyone asks you. As a kid, the answer might change every week, from astronaut to chef and then engineer. Eventually, you select high school courses, scan job boards, and decide whether to stick with Read More…

How Canadian Taxes Impact Your Personal Finances You deal with Canada’s tax system long before you file your first return. Every paycheque, store receipt, and government benefit notice reflects tax rules that affect how much money you keep and what you owe. Understanding the basics helps you calculate your take-home pay, spot mistakes, and claim Read More…

Canadian Banking Essentials In Canada, safe and regulated banking products are widely available. When you understand how banks work, how deposits are protected, and how costly alternative financial services operate, you can make better financial choices and avoid debt traps. Canada’s Financial System and Regulatory Structure Canada’s financial system is one of the largest and Read More…

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Paying For Healthcare – Using FSA, HSA, and HRA  Healthcare is expensive – very expensive. Struggling with healthcare costs is one of the biggest sources of financial, and mental, stress for tens of millions of people every year. However, there are some arrangements that can make the “sting” of healthcare costs a little easier to Read More…

Understanding Individual Retirement Arrangements (IRA) Planning for retirement is a life-long concern. Because of the power of Compound Interest, saving just $60 per month after you turn 18 can grow to be worth more than $1,000,000 by the time you retire1 – even though you would have only actually saved $36,000 in cash. Everybody wins Read More…

Introduction to Oligopoly

ClimbUSA – What causes an economic recession?

Improving Your Account Security Having advanced protection keeps your finances safe and secure. Increase your level of protection and move your security meter higher by learning measures to keep your account secure! Get Started! 1 Strengthen Your Password How to create a strong password Having a strong password and changing it frequently is a powerful Read More…

Home Maintenance 101: A Guide for First-Time Homeowners Owning a home is a big responsibility, and keeping up with maintenance will save you time, money, and stress in the long run. The key is to keep your home in top shape, prevent costly repairs, and ensure your space stays safe and comfortable. 1. Maintaining Appliances Read More…

Understanding Property Taxes: A Homeowner’s Guide If you are looking to purchase a home off -boundary it is important to understand Property Taxes (also known as land taxes). These taxes help fund essential community services, and failing to pay them can lead to serious consequences. In this lesson, we’ll cover: By understanding property taxes, you Read More…

How Your Minor’s Trust Fund is Managed Understanding the EBCI Minor’s Trust Fund The EBCI Minor’s Trust Fund is a financial resource for enrolled members of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians (EBCI), funded by per capita distributions from gaming revenue. Management of the Minor’s Trust Fund The Minor’s Trust Fund is overseen by the Read More…

How to Buy a Home: A Guide for First-Time Homebuyers Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. It can feel overwhelming, but breaking the process into steps makes it easier to navigate. In this lesson, we’ll cover: By the end, you’ll have a solid understanding of how to confidently buy Read More…

Inversión 101 – Cuestionario final de vocabulario Complete el cuestionario final de vocabulario.Haga clic en “CONTINUAR CON EL EXAMEN” para comenzar el examen de este capítulo. Continue To Final Exam

Este es un contrato de arrendamiento de muestra, con todos los términos normalmente incluidos excepto el costo base del alquiler. Condiciones del Arrendamiento DISFRUTE PACÍFICO: El Inquilino tendrá derecho al disfrute pacífico del Inmueble y el Arrendador no interferirá con este derecho, siempre que pague la renta puntualmente y cumpla con todas las demás obligaciones Read More…

Resumen de Impuestos Los impuestos están presentes en todas partes y son esenciales para el funcionamiento del mundo moderno. Para sus finanzas personales, los impuestos también juegan un papel fundamental en la toma de decisiones financieras. Si bien tenemos lecciones que cubren la mayoría de los tipos de impuestos principales en detalle, para comenzar, queremos Read More…

Gestión de Crédito – Evaluación de Unidad

Ingresos e impuestos – Evaluación de la unidad

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Evaluación de la unidad de toma de decisiones financieras

Inversión para principiantes El concepto de inversión es simple: invertir tus ahorros para que crezcan con el tiempo. Invertir aprovecha la idea de la capitalización para generar riqueza. Por ejemplo, si ahorras $50 al mes durante 10 años en efectivo, habrás ahorrado $6,000. Sin embargo, si inviertes esos $50 al mes y obtienes una rentabilidad Read More…

Stock Evaluadora Buscador de acciones by TradingView

Inversión para principiantes – Evaluación de la unidad

Glosario financiero 1040 The base form to file federal income taxes in the United States. It may be supplemented with additional forms for complex tax returns. 1099 A form provided to contractors to report their income in the United States. 10-K An annual report containing audited financial statements for publicly traded companies. This form is Read More…

Inversión Intermedia Una vez que conozca los fundamentos de la inversión (qué es una acción, cómo consultar cotizaciones y otros conceptos básicos), puede empezar a pensar en crear una cartera, lo que implica comprender qué significa diversificar y cómo desarrollar una estrategia de inversión. Esta unidad presentará los ETF y los fondos mutuos: paquetes de Read More…

Evaluación de la unidad de inversión intermedia

Centro de Carreras Todo estudiante debería considerar buscar trabajo antes de graduarse. El Centro de Carreras está aquí para ayudarte a encontrar trabajo. Encuentra ofertas de empleo, obtén certificaciones para mejorar tu currículum, despierta el interés de posibles empleadores y obtén información valiosa para convertirte en el mejor candidato posible.

Desarrollo Profesional Hay una gran diferencia entre conseguir un trabajo y comenzar una carrera, y va más allá del salario. El camino hacia el Desarrollo Profesional se basa en definir tus metas. Necesitas comprender qué acciones puedes tomar para abrirte camino hacia el futuro y construir un camino que te lleve desde donde estás hoy Read More…

Contratos de Alquiler y Comunidades de Propietarios Al alquilar un apartamento o una casa, lo que puede hacer con su nuevo hogar está determinado por su Contrato de Arrendamiento. Este contrato especifica no solo el alquiler que paga, sino también muchas otras restricciones sobre qué puede hacer, cuándo y cómo puede su arrendador exigir su Read More…

Testamentos Simples y Vitales Cuando una persona fallece, alguien recibe sus bienes. Desafortunadamente, determinar quiénes son los herederos puede ser bastante complicado. Si bien cada estado cuenta con leyes que rigen la distribución de los bienes de una persona en caso de fallecimiento, puede ser un proceso complejo para todos los involucrados y tomar meses, Read More…

Derechos y responsabilidades del empleador y del empleado Al empezar tu primer trabajo, lo primero que importa a todos es el salario (o tarifa por hora). ¿Cuánto dinero ganarás? Te sorprenderá saber que esta cifra es solo una pequeña parte del paquete de compensación total que ofrecen la mayoría de los empleadores. Empleados versus contratistas Read More…

Donaciones caritativas Reservar dinero para donaciones benéficas es fundamental en cualquier presupuesto o plan de gastos. Las organizaciones benéficas son esenciales para ayudar a las personas necesitadas y no pueden funcionar sin contribuciones regulares del público. Tipos de donaciones benéficas Las donaciones benéficas se presentan de diversas maneras, pero el concepto esencial es que se Read More…

Financial Life Simulation Feedback Now that you are almost to the end of the game, we’d like your feedback! Fill out the short survey below to continue.

Budgeting and estimating expected expenses Your guide to creating a budget plan Most people need some way of seeing where their money is going each month. Budgeting can help you feel more in control of your finances and make it easier to save money for your goals. The trick is to figure out a way Read More…

6 simple steps to jump-start your emergency fund Saving several months’ worth of living expenses for an emergency fund can be intimidating, especially when it feels like all of your available cash is already accounted for, each month. If your monthly living expenses came to $2,000, for example, it would take time to save $6,000, Read More…

Getting Out of Debt: Debt Snowball and Debt Avalanche Most financial literacy topics are dedicated to helping you stay out of debt and build wealth – but what do you do if you already find yourself deep in debt with no obvious way out? This is where accelerated debt repayment strategies can come into play Read More…

What are Cryptocurrencies? Cryptocurrencies come in many shapes and sizes. Some of them are designed to be like a form of “digital gold”, like Bitcoin. Others, like Ethereum are designed to be programable money. There are many different use cases for these “digital assets”. In general, cryptocurrencies are a form of digital money that is Read More…

Should You Rent or Should You Buy? For many people, owning a home is the epitome of the American dream. Home ownership has long been a hallmark of financial stability, and the single largest component of many people’s net worth. But over the last few decades, home ownership has seemed more and more out of Read More…

Mortgage Math and Ratios Buying a home – a long-time cornerstone of personal finance. Buying a home is a huge milestone in anyone’s financial life, but the math behind the transaction can be daunting. In fact, for the average consumer, the purchase of their home is an entirely unique type of financial investment – where Read More…

Limits and Logs – Personalized Spending and Saving Much of personal finance is focused on long-term thinking: building your budget so you can save up enough money to live a lifestyle you want, and retire comfortably. But for each individual person, “a lifestyle you want” and “retire comfortably” can mean very different things. At the Read More…

How To Save Money on Your Next Trip Imagine you’re planning a dream vacation. Perhaps a senior trip after graduation. You might spend days researching flights, hotels, and car rentals to find the best deals. Now, think about how much time you spend planning your financial future—probably not as much, right? Yet, both require strategic Read More…

Discretionary Expenses – Understanding Central Tendency What Are Discretionary Expenses? Discretionary expenses are non-essential purchases— wants, things we buy for enjoyment, convenience, or fun. Examples include entertainment, dining out, or the latest tech gadgets. In contrast, needs are essential for survival: food, housing, utilities, and healthcare. Knowing the difference between needs and wants is a Read More…

Compound Interest Calculator The first thing to consider with all personal finance is the idea of compound interest! This is what separates the “Piggy Bank” savers from the Warren Buffets; making use of interest compounding is how you can really make your savings grow! If you have already used our Investment Return Calculator, you can Read More…

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Financial Life Simulation Feedback Now that you are almost to the end of the game, we’d like your feedback! Fill out the short survey below to continue. Loading…

Sector and Industry Explorer When looking to compare stocks, it can be tempting to just pick any two companies and try to see which one will perform better. But real investors know that you can only make apples-to-apples comparisons between companies that compete with each other – in the same “Sector” or “Industry”. This tool Read More…

Managing Your Apartment The first option you had in the game was to choose where to live: This does not just impact the bills you need to pay and your Quality of Life score – you can actually visit your apartment and kit it out with your favorite decor too! You can visit your Apartment Read More…

Test

Accountant A licensed professional who prepares financial statements, assists people with filing their taxes, and / or conducts financial investigations. Accountants are certified professionals that need to obtain both advanced degrees and professional designations to maintain their role. Related Lessons

Available Cryptos Our platform supports virtual trading of 100 different cryptocurrencies trading on the Coinbase exchange. This list updates every semester. The list of currently-available cryptocurrencies is below: Symbol – Name

This lesson was made possible thanks to Pacific Life Insurance Company What can you do to make sure you are prepared when you are ready to retire?  Here are some programs to take advantage of that will help you save for that day. What are the different sources of retirement income and how can you Read More…

This lesson was made possible thanks to Pacific Life Insurance Company If you look up an “Annuity” in the dictionary, it means “fixed payments”. But when it comes to personal finance and investing, “Annuity” refers to a specific type of investment product that is a common part of retirement portfolios. This lesson is about annuities Read More…

Workplace Benefits This lesson was made possible thanks to Pacific Life Insurance Company When you start looking for a job, one of the first questions you will have when browsing job listings is “how much does this pay”? Starting salary or hourly pay is, of course, an important factor when considering a position, but is Read More…

This lesson was made possible thanks to Pacific Life Insurance Company What is Disability Insurance? Disability Insurance is insurance that provides benefits to the insured person if they experience an injury or illness that prevents them from working for an extended period of time. It typically pays 50% – 70% of your pre-disability wage, or Read More…

Term Life Insurance – What You Need To Know This lesson was made possible thanks to Pacific Life Insurance Company Whole, Endowment, Term – there are many types of Life Insurance on the market. But most financial advisors will give you the same mantra – “Buy Term and Invest The Rest”. But what does that Read More…

Don’t Let Disability Derail Your Finances Most people overestimate the cost and underestimate the need for disability insurance. Many people live paycheck to paycheck and lack any significant real savings. They don’t have robust rainy day or emergency funds to cover the cost of an unexpected expense. In fact, loss of income and medical expenses Read More…

What Benefits to Look for in a Job Offer When you start looking for a job, one of the first questions you will have when browsing job listings is “how much does this pay”? Starting salary or hourly pay is, of course, an important factor when considering a position, but is very far from the Read More…

Is an Annuity Right for You? If you look up “Annuity” in the dictionary, it says “a fixed sum of money paid to someone each year, typically for life.” But when it comes to personal finance and investing, “annuity” refers to a financial product that can offer protected lifetime income and even potentially grow your Read More…

How to Research & Compare Stocks When you first set out to build a portfolio, it can be overwhelming to choose your first stock. In this activity, we will walk through conducting some basic research on a company you find interesting, and learn how to compare it against another company in the same sector to Read More…

Basic Research and Comparing Stocks When you first set out to build a portfolio, it can be overwhelming to choose your first stock! In this activity, we will walk through conducting some basic research on a company you find interesting, and learn how to compare it against another company in the same sector to determine Read More…

Unit Introduction – Canadian Personal Finance This unit specifically covers financial literacy topics in Canada. While most lessons cover all countries equally well, some specifics (like filing taxes and retirement planning) refer to specific laws or regulations in Canada, differing from our US material.

A Guide to Retiring in Canada Embarking on a journey towards retirement in Canada requires careful consideration and proactive financial strategies. In this guide, we will explore various elements of retirement planning in Canada, offering insights into pension programs, savings options, and employer-assisted plans. Old Age Security Pension (OAS) The Old Age Security (OAS) pension Read More…

The Basics of Filing Taxes in Canada What is income tax?  Income tax is the tax you pay on your income, typically deducted directly from your paycheque. Every individual who earns income in Canada is obligated to pay income tax. Income encompasses more than just employment wages and salaries. If you receive rental income from Read More…

How Bankruptcy Ruins Your Credit If you find yourself significantly behind on your bills and all other attempts to manage debt have proven futile, the last resort is declaring bankruptcy. What is Bankruptcy? Bankruptcy is a legally mandated process of forced debt settlement. When an individual declares bankruptcy in Canada, the court convenes all unsecured Read More…