WELCOME Back
July 9, 2025
Welcome back to Money Instructor!
Let’s get ready for a season of learning and growth. Now is the perfect time to reinforce our commitment to teaching essential financial literacy skills. We’ll be focusing on important topics like money management, budgeting, and making smart financial decisions. These lessons will lay the groundwork for a lifetime of financial success and security. Here’s to a productive and insightful time filled with learning and practical financial knowledge for everyone!
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Why Are Your Favorite Stores Closing? The Retail Collapse Explained Lesson 
Students learn a lesson about why major retailers like Joann Fabrics, Bed Bath & Beyond, and Sears are closing, how debt and online shopping are changing the way businesses operate, and what store closures mean for consumers and the economy. They explore how these changes impact small businesses, job opportunities, and local communities while discussing ways brick-and-mortar stores can adapt to survive in a digital world.
Gulf of America? Why Trump Wants to Rename the Gulf of Mexico Lesson
Students learn about President-elect Donald Trump’s proposal to rename the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America and its potential political, cultural, and economic impacts. They explore the Gulf's critical role in industries like fishing, oil, and shipping, as well as the historical and diplomatic challenges of altering its name. This discussion highlights the broader implications of redefining shared regions and how such changes reflect efforts to reshape America’s global influence.
Money Market Accounts Explained: Beginner’s Guide How They Work
Students learn a lesson about money market accounts, including how they work, their benefits over traditional savings accounts, and why they’re a smart savings option. They explore the flexibility, higher interest rates, and secure savings these accounts offer, along with tips for maximizing interest, understanding transaction limits, and avoiding fees. Whether saving for emergencies or short-term goals, students gain insights to determine if a money market account aligns with their financial needs.
Trump’s Tariffs Explained: Will Prices go Up?
Students learn how tariffs impact everyday expenses by raising the cost of imported goods. They explore why tariffs are implemented and how they can affect personal budgets. Through examples and discussions, students gain insight into the economic effects of tariffs on consumer choices.
Invest Smarter with Dollar Cost Averaging Lesson
Students learn about Dollar Cost Averaging (DCA), a strategy that simplifies investing by spreading out investments over time to reduce risk and avoid market timing. They discover how DCA can be applied to various investment options like stocks, mutual funds, and ETFs to navigate market fluctuations and build wealth steadily. By the end of the lesson, students will understand how to use DCA to achieve their financial goals while minimizing stress and making informed decisions.
How the Job Market Slowdown and Rate Cuts Impact You
Students will learn how the recent hiring slowdown and interest rate cuts impact job prospects, loans, and personal finances. The lesson explores how these economic changes influence career planning and provide practical tips for navigating financial decisions during uncertain times. It helps students stay informed about job market trends and protect their financial future.
What is Sales Tax? Sales Tax Explained Lesson
Students learn about sales tax and its impact on their daily purchases, including why it's important and how it's calculated. They explore how sales tax funds public services and how rates vary by location and item. The guide also covers the effects of sales tax on businesses and consumers, providing practical tips for saving money and making informed shopping decisions.
Homeowners Insurance Explained: Beginner’s Guide to Coverage, Cost, and Benefits Lesson
Students will learn the essentials of homeowners insurance, including its importance and coverage areas such as dwelling, personal property, and liability. Practical tips for choosing the right policy, understanding exclusions, and filing claims are provided. The guide is relevant for homeowners across various states, helping them protect their homes, belongings, and finances.
What is Inflation? Inflation Explained Lesson
Students will learn about inflation, its causes, and its effects on daily life and finances. They will explore how inflation is measured and the role of governments and central banks in controlling it, along with practical strategies to protect their money from rising prices.
What are Income and Expenses? A Beginner’s Guide
Students are taught the fundamentals of financial management, covering income, expenses, budgeting, and setting financial goals. They learn about various income sources, including passive income from investments, and the importance of saving for emergencies. Additionally, they are equipped with strategies to avoid debt, balance spending with income, and increase earnings, ultimately leading to better financial decision-making and a more secure future.
Credit Cards vs. Debit Cards Lesson
This lesson educates students on the differences between credit and debit cards, detailing how debit cards help manage spending by using existing funds, while credit cards offer opportunities to build credit and earn rewards, if managed well. It also covers the enhanced security features of credit cards, and provides tips on selecting the right card based on individual financial behavior and objectives.
What is a 401K? A Beginners guide to Saving for Retirement
In this lesson, students learn about 401(k) plans, including their tax benefits, employer matching, and the growth potential through compound interest. They explore the basics of 401(k)s, such as how they function as a retirement savings tool, the advantages of tax deferment, and matching contributions from employers. The lesson also helps students understand contribution limits and withdrawal conditions, enabling them to make informed decisions to optimize and secure their financial futures from an early stage.
What is an IRA? A Beginner’s Guide to Individual Retirement Accounts
In this lesson, students are introduced to the fundamentals of Individual Retirement Accounts (IRAs), focusing on the distinctions between Traditional and Roth IRAs, their tax benefits, and eligibility criteria. They learn how to strategically choose the right IRA type based on their financial situation and the importance of early contributions to leverage compound interest.
This educational lesson on bank accounts introduces students to the fundamental differences between checking and savings accounts, emphasizing their importance in effective money management and financial independence.
What is SNAP? Eligibility and Benefits of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program
This lesson explores the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), focusing on its eligibility, benefits, and how it aids Americans in maintaining a healthy diet affordably. It introduces the Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card for essential purchases and addresses the stigma associated with SNAP. Highlighting SNAP's crucial role in ensuring access to nutritious food, the lesson underscores its importance in providing security and supporting personal aspirations during challenging times.
What is Social Security? Tax Contributions and Benefits
This lesson offers students a fundamental understanding of Social Security and its critical role in retirement planning. It covers how Social Security is funded through payroll taxes and how these contributions affect future benefits, emphasizing the need for early career financial planning. Additionally, the lesson highlights concerns about Social Security's sustainability and the importance of diversifying retirement savings with 401(k)s, IRAs, and other investments.
50/30/20 Rule | Budgeting & Saving Lesson
This lesson teaches students money management using the 50/30/20 rule, a budgeting strategy that balances needs, wants, and savings. Students learn to allocate 50% of after-tax income to needs like rent and utilities, 30% to wants such as entertainment, and 20% to savings and debt repayment. The lesson includes tips for monitoring spending, reducing expenses, and emphasizes starting small with savings. It's adaptable to various financial situations, promoting a balanced and secure financial future.
Students learn essential money management skills for financial stability. The lesson covers budgeting, teaching how to plan and track income and expenses. It emphasizes the importance of saving for emergencies and future goals, and investing, highlighting compound interest and starting with small amounts. The lesson also focuses on spending habits, encouraging informed purchases and distinguishing between wants and needs. It includes debt management strategies and underscores the importance of building and maintaining good credit. Lastly, the lesson guides students in financial planning, setting realistic goals for financial freedom and overall health.
What is Online Banking? How Does it Work Lesson
Students learn about the fundamentals of online or internet banking in this lesson. They explore the convenience and functionality of managing bank accounts online through both websites and mobile apps. The lesson content delves into key aspects such as checking account balances, transferring funds, and paying bills.
AI tools for Educators
Delve into our comprehensive suite of AI-driven tools tailored for educators. From automated lesson plan generators to intelligent assessment tools, discover innovative solutions that revolutionize classroom teaching for personal finance, and related topics.
Revolutionizing Education with AI
Artificial Intelligence, or AI, has made waves in nearly every industry. Education is no exception. AI can revolutionize how we learn and teach, making learning more personal, engaging, efficient, and personalized. We want to help you use AI in the classroom. Let us know if you need help using AI. Read more
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Using the Stock Market for Education
Have you ever thought about using the stock market as a tool to teach about the economy, math, and other related subjects? Not only is the stock market a real-world application of economic principles, but it also allows students to see the direct impact of their decisions and gain a deeper understanding of how the economy works. Plus, the math involved in tracking and analyzing stock performance can be a great way to reinforce mathematical concepts.
To help you get started, we wanted to highlight a new video we have available called "Introduction to Stocks." It's a great resource for introducing the basics of the stock market and can serve as a foundation for further lessons and discussions.
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Money Instructor
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