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Programs for Teens

Programs for Teens

IE Resources for Teens

Our Financial Journey

The importance of financial literacy lies in comprehending how to save, earn, borrow, invest, and safeguard money wisely. It is crucial for establishing both short- and long-term financial behaviors and skills that contribute to improved financial well-being.

During the transition from adolescence to young adulthood, the financial literacy journey enters a crucial phase. As executive function skills develop further, individuals become better equipped to make informed financial decisions and prevent fraud/scams. Money-related habits and norms continue to change as young adults gain independence and encounter more financial obligations. This phase is pivotal for solidifying financial knowledge and decision-making abilities, enabling them to effectively manage their finances in daily life. By nurturing these skills and cultivating a positive attitude towards money, young adults can establish a sturdy financial foundation for their future well-being. 

A DEVELOPMENTAL MODEL

Early childhood (ages 3-5)

  • During this stage, children start establishing the fundamental skills associated with executive function.
  • Basic values and attitudes linked to financial concepts start taking shape.
  • Children start grasping mathematical concepts and number skills essential for financial literacy.

Middle childhood (ages 6-12)

  • Development of executive function skills and behaviors progresses.
  • Formation of financial habits and norms becomes prominent, influenced by the observation of family members and peers' interactions with money, shaping children's independent identities.
  • Introduction to fundamental concepts of money management occurs during this stage.

Adolescence and young adulthood (ages 13-21)

  • The maturation of executive function persists.
  • Money-related habits and norms evolve.
  • Young individuals enhance their financial knowledge and decision-making abilities, which become increasingly significant in their daily routines.

HERE ARE A FEW QUICK RESOURCES

Next Gen Personal Finance

 Curriculum Units
Middle School Personal Finance
 Resources
Language Recourses
 Econ Collection
So Expensive Series
 Teacher PD & Community
All NGPF Games
 Math
Slime

SLIME - A CRAFTING SIDE HUSTLE

Many youths have side hustles to help them earn extra income, develop new skills, and even become business owners. Pick up a new hobby that can fuel your passion and potentially your wallet. Learn how to make your own slime!

The budget of this activity is low cost.

Easy Slime
Supplies: White glue, water, food coloring, borax, containers or plastic bags.
Optional: glitter, foam balls, cut up rubber bands, craft paint, beads.

Directions:

  1. Dissolve 1/2 teaspoon of borax into 1/2 cup of hot water and then set aside.
  2. Pour one 4 oz. bottle of glue into a bowl.
  3. Add 1/2 cup of water and food coloring, then stir.
  4. Add the borax solution from step one into the bowl 1/2 teaspoon at a time until the glue mixture starts to thicken.
  5. Knead slime with hands until no longer sticky. If your slime is still sticky, add more borax while kneading. If you add too much borax, the slime will become too stiff.

Scholarship Hunting Power Hour

College after High School

Whether you or someone in your family already have you them already picked out or you're just wondering if college is for you, these resources will help you make smart decisions about the application process and beyond.

bigfuture

The Common Application

National Association for College Admission Counseling: National College Fairs

National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator

 

Scholarships and Financial Aid

What happens if you want to go to school but you don't know how to pay for it?

Don't let money problems stand in between you and your dreams — but don’t let yourself get buried under a mountain of debt, either. Learn about your options and prepare yourself to make decisions about the financial demands of your education with these websites.

College Planning from Michigan - MI Student Aid

  • Upcoming Webinar
  • Michigan Achievement Scholarship
  • MI Future Educator Programs
  • State of Michigan Programs

FastWeb

FinAid

Scholarships.com

 

Vocational School

Are you interested in vocational training (also called "career school" or "trade school")? These websites will help you navigate the many career paths open to you and investigate the schools that will help you pursue the one you choose.

Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges Director of Accredited Institutions

Real Work Matters, opens a new window

Trade Schools, Colleges and Universities

Bank

Open a Bank Account

Do you want to start investing? Would you like to have college savings figured out before college even starts? Are you interested in saving up for a car? The best way to do this is to open a checking or savings account and start learning money management early.

Most checking or savings accounts require a parent or guardian to be a joint member of a bank account. Minors will need to bring identification and their guardian with them. Ask your financial institution what forms they require.

Visit Department of Insurance and Financial Services and Search to view a list of local banks and credit unions.

This is an opportunity to run a virtual campaign, post flyers in your library, or host an info session urging teens to create a bank account. Reach out to financial institutions in your area for more help.

DIFS Insurance and Financial Services Search

Adulting Toolkit

Taxes

Paychecks

Understanding Checks

Starting Your Credit History

Gamification Resources

Break The Bank

Brought to you by Biz Kids. This game puts you in the role of a worker at a community bank, helping customers get good loans and save for their future. But wait, you must go against Mr. Boar and his clerks from a payday loan company. Learn the ethics of banking and debt in this fun game. Supported by Jump Start - Financial Smarts for Students.

Financial Soccer

From Visa's Practical Money initiative, Financial Soccer mixes financial literacy and soccer.

Hit The Road

This Oregon Trail-inspired game takes you on a road trip across America. Learn the importance of saving and creating a budget, responsible
spending, and debt management.

Lights Camera Budget

This game puts your child in the role of a movie producer. They'll be given a $100 million budget to create a 5-star movie.

Access Tools for your Patrons!

Supplement each of these activities with free materials aimed towards boosting financial education!

Remind your patrons that Michigan residents the Library of Michigan subscribes to a number of online databases that are accessible for Library of Michigan library cardholders. To apply for a card, go to our online application form.

Visit Library of Michigan to access the list of newspapers, and other subscription databases along with online resources that do not require a library card.

A List of Participating Michigan eLibrary (MeL)

Michigan eLibrary provides you with free access to online full-text articles, full-text books, digital images, and other valuable research information at any time via the Internet; and provide an easy-to-use interlibrary loan system to allow Michigan residents to borrow books and other library materials for free from participating Michigan libraries. 

EDUCATORS LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES - GRADE 1-12 BY CFPB

Marriage and Money

Michigan Investor Guide

Military Guide to Money and Investing

Your New Job

Here is a bookmark you can order directly to your library, non for profit organizations, and educational institutions by contacting Licensing and Regulatory Affairs, Corporations and Commercial Licensing, Investor Education.

Phone: (517) 335-5237
Fax: (517) 763-0039
Email: LARA-CSCL-Securities-Audit@michigan.gov

Front of Bookmark Back of Bookmark

REFERENCES

13 Financial Literacy Games for Children and Adults (Gamification Resources). Retrieved from
https://www.fitzsimonscu.com/financial-literacy-games-for-children-and-adults/

CFPB Bulk Publications. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved from 
https://pueblo.gpo.gov/CFPBPubs/CFPBPubs.php?PubID=1349

* Discover Your Financial Personality. Marcus by Goldman Sachs, the Myers-Briggs Company. (January 6, 2021). Retrieved from
https://www.marcus.com/us/en/resources/lifestyle/discover-your-financialpersonality 

Examining Elements of a Paycheck. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.consumerfinance.educatortools/youth-financial-education/teach/activities/examining-elementspaycheck/

I Want to Help My Daughter Start Her Credit History. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (August 16,2016). Retrieved from
https://www.consumerfinance.askcfpb/i-want-to-help-my-daughter-start-hercredit-history-what-should-i-do-en-1643/

Licensee Lookup Division of Banks. (2018). Retrieved from https://services.oca.state.ma.us/LicenseeLookup/in-choose.asp

Publications. Federal Trade Commission. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.bulkorder.ftc.gov/publications

Understanding a Check and Balancing a Checkbook. National Credit Union Administration. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://mycreditunion.gov/manage-your-money/credit-union-accounts-services/checking-accounts

Understanding Taxes. Internal Revenue Service. (2014). Retrieved from
https://apps.irs.gov/app/understandingTaxes/index.jsp

* What's Your Money Personality? Empower. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://empower.me/quiz/ 

Young children. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. (n.d.). Retrieved from
https://www.consumerfinance.gov/consumer-tools/money-as-you-grow/young-children/

* Website is no longer available as of 4/17/2026.

 

CONTACT US!

Licensing and Regulator Affairs, Corporations and Commercial Licensing
Investor Education
Phone: (517) 335-5237
Fax: (517) 763-0039
Email: LARA-CSCL-Securities-Audit@michigan.gov

Visit Investor Education Resources for more information.