Building block activities resource list
Our youth financial education activities occasionally include links to helpful tools, information, and materials from other agencies and organizations. We’ve organized these resources in one place so you can easily explore them for your classroom teaching and learning.
To make it easy for you to find specific materials and tools, we’ve organized these resources so you can search by the MyMoney Five principles for managing money – Earn, Save and Invest, Protect, Spend, and Borrow.
Earn
Website from the Department of Labor
This website provides a range of resources and tools related to careers, education, and training.
CareerOneStop: Occupation Profile
Resource from the Department of Labor
Learn details about any occupation, including what you might do on the job, how much you might earn, and how much education or training you might need.
CareerOneStop: Salaries
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage links to resources related to salaries and wages for hundreds of occupations.
CareerOneStop: Salary Finder
Resource from the Department of Labor
You can use this tool to research typical pay for hundreds of occupations.
Consumer.gov: Understanding Your Paycheck
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage explains paychecks, pay stubs, and options for depositing or cashing paychecks.
Department of Labor: State Minimum Wage Laws
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage includes an interactive map that lets you click on any state to learn about applicable minimum wage laws.
Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) Minimum Wage Poster
Poster from the Department of Labor
This poster explains key minimum wage provisions of the Fair Labor Standards Act.
The Job Song
Video from Sesame Street in Communities
This video for young children uses a fun song to describe different types of jobs and the importance of work.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Home
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Provides information on what workers do; the work environment; education, training, and other qualifications; pay; the job outlook; information on state and area data; similar occupations; and sources of additional information, for hundreds of occupational profiles, covering most jobs in the economy.
Occupational Outlook Handbook: Occupation Finder
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
Search for occupations by pay, education level, projected number of new jobs, and other factors.
Youth Rules! Preparing the 21st Century Workforce
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage offers information and resources on labor laws for youth, primarily teens age 14-18.
Resource from the College Board
This resource lets you search for colleges and provides information on college costs, financial aid, and careers.
College Board: BigFuture: Community College FAQs
Resource from the College Board
This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about community college.
College Board: Home
Website from the College Board
The College Board offers a range of resources for planning and paying for college.
Department of Education: College Scorecard
Website from the Department of Education
The College Scorecard lets you research and compare colleges, universities, and training institutions based on location, field of study, average annual costs, graduation rates, and a range of other factors.
Types of Colleges: The Basics
Slideshow from the College Board
This resource describes types of postsecondary schools and explains their differences
Website from the Social Security Administration
Social Security has provided financial protection for our nation's people for more than 80 years. With retirement, disability, and survivors benefits, Social Security is one of the most successful anti-poverty programs in our nation's history.
Resource from the Department of the Treasury
This webpage outlines different types of taxes and how the U.S. Government uses taxes.
Internal Revenue Service: Tax Tutorial on Payroll Taxes
Resource from the Internal Revenue Service
This interactive tutorial explains payroll taxes and income tax withholding.
Internal Revenue Service: Tips for Teenage Taxpayers with Summer Jobs
Resource from the Internal Revenue Service
This webpage offers information for teens who work over the summer.
USA.gov: Taxes Overview
Resource from USA.gov
Find answers to top questions about filing federal income tax, paying, getting refunds, and more.
USA.gov: State and Local Taxes
Resource from USA.gov
This webpage provides information on state and local taxes, including income, sales, use, and property taxes.
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
USA.gov: Guide to government services and information
Website from USA.gov
USA.gov is your online guide to government information and services.
U.S. Mint's H.I.P. Pocket Change: Coins
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This webpage offers kid-friendly information on the parts of each U.S. coin, what the coins are made of, and how they circulate. The resource also includes videos on the U.S. Mint’s coin-making process and on what the U.S. Mint does.
U.S. Currency Education Program's Currency Academy
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This digital learning experience lets young audiences discover how currency is used, observe artistic concepts found in currency, learn about how money works, and compare elements of the natural world to the special features found on currency.
Save & Invest
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
Federal Student Aid: Home
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists student aid options including grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
Types of Colleges: The Basics
Slideshow from the College Board
This resource describes types of postsecondary schools and explains their differences
Types of Federal Student Aid (video)
Video from the Department of Education
If you need help paying for college or career school, the Office of Federal Student Aid can assist you with getting the money you need. Check out this video to learn about grants, loans, and work-study jobs and how they can help fund your education.
Video from the Financial Literacy Center (RAND Corp., Dartmouth, Wharton)
This video explains how fast assets and debt grow to help you appreciate the importance of starting to save early—and paying off debt quickly.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Compound Interest Calculator
Resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
Use this calculator to determine how much your money can grow using the power of compound interest.
Website from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
A site to help investors at all experience levels understand how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.
Securities and Exchange Commission: Investment Products
Resource from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC)
This webpage offers information on a wide variety of investment products that can help you achieve your financial goals.
Website from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
Sonja Meets Her Future Self
Booklet from the Wyoming Retirement System and the Women’s Institute for a Secure Retirement
This booklet tells a story about a young girl who meets future versions of herself and sees how saving pays off throughout her lifetime. The story also is available as a video .
Protect
Website from Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion
This is the only source to get free credit reports authorized by federal law. This law requires each of the three largest consumer credit reporting agencies to give you a free copy of your credit report every 12 months.
FTC Consumer Information: Lost or Stolen Credit, ATM, and Debit Cards
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage offers information about what to do if your credit, ATM, or debit card is lost or stolen.
FTC Consumer Information: Protecting Against Credit Card Fraud
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage includes information about credit card fraud and what to do if it happens to you.
FTC Consumer Information: Using a Credit Card
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
Offers information and tips about managing a credit card and keeping it safe.
USA.gov: Credit Cards
Resource from USA.gov
Find out your rights when it comes to credit cards and how to choose the right one.
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage explains what identity theft is and what to do if it happens to you.
FTC Consumer Sentinel Network
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
An interactive map of fraud reports by state, including the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
Internal Revenue Service Guide to Reporting Tax Fraud
Resource from the Internal Revenue Service
This if-then list provides guidance on how to report tax fraud in various scenarios.
Federal Trade Commission: Identity Theft
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
IdentityTheft.gov is the federal government’s one-stop resource for identity theft victims. The site provides streamlined checklists and sample letters to guide you through the recovery process.
Federal Trade Commission: Recovering from Identity Theft
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage lists resources to learn about identify theft and what to do if you suspect you are the victim of identity theft.
USA.gov: Protecting Against Identity Theft
Resource from USA.gov
This webpage explains identity theft and offers information on how to protect yourself against it and report it. It also includes information on medical identity theft.
Website from the Securities and Exchange Commission
A site to help investors at all experience levels understand how to invest wisely and avoid fraud.
Website from the Department of Transportation
DOT is responsible for planning and coordinating federal transportation projects. It also sets safety regulations for all major modes of transportation.
Insurance Information Institute: Background On: Teen Drivers
Resource from the Insurance Information Institute
This webpage provides information about teen driving, including related laws and safety issues.
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
This webpage offers information about keeping your Social Security number secure.
Social Security Information for Educators
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage provides educators with a toolkit full of the information and resources to develop engaging and informative lessons on Social Security and the importance of planning for the future.
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
Federal Trade Commission: About FTC
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
The FTC's Bureau of Consumer Protection stops unfair, deceptive and fraudulent business practices by collecting complaints and conducting investigations, suing companies and people that break the law, developing rules to maintain a fair marketplace, and educating consumers and businesses about their rights and responsibilities.
Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation: About FDIC
Website from the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
The FDIC is an independent agency created by Congress to secure public confidence in U.S. financial systems. They do this by insuring bank deposits, monitoring and managing risks, and limiting the impact of bank failure on the economy.
Federal Emergency Management Agency: About FEMA
Website from the Federal Emergency Management Agency
FEMA’s mission is to help people before, during, and after disasters. FEMA coordinates the federal government’s role in preparing for, preventing, responding to, and recovering from all domestic disasters, whether natural or man-made.
National Credit Union Administration: About NCUA
Website from the National Credit Union Administration
NCUA is an independent federal agency that insures deposits at federally insured credit unions, protects the members who own credit unions, and charters and regulates federal credit unions.
Spend
Resource from the Department of Labor
This webpage includes links to resources covering the minimum wage and wage laws.
Energy Information Administration: Average Monthly Electricity Prices
Resource from the U.S. Energy Information Administration
This table lists average monthly electricity prices by region and state.
"Make a straw rocket" instructions
Resource from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
This resource provides instructions and a template for building a straw rocket. NASA also offers a video on building the rocket and modifying it to make it fly farther.
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
College Board: Home
Website from The College Board
The College Board offers a range of resources for planning and paying for college.
College Board: Big Future: Types of Colleges
Resource from the College Board
This webpage offers basic information about types of colleges, such as the differences between a college and a university and between public and private colleges.
Department of Education: College Scorecard
Website from the Department of Education
The College Scorecard lets you research and compare colleges, universities, and training institutions based on location, field of study, average annual costs, graduation rates, and a range of other factors.
Department of Education: Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
Resource from the Department of Education
This form is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid.
Federal Student Aid Home
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Federal Student Aid: Grants
Resource from the Department of Education
Learn about the grant programs that are available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Student Aid: Loan Simulator (formerly “Repayment Estimator”)
Resource from the Department of Education
The Loan Simulator is a tool to help you make decisions about your student loans. Use it to find a repayment plan that meets your needs and goals or to decide whether to consolidate.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists student aid options including grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
FinAid: Loan Calculator
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments and the annual salary required to manage them without too much financial difficulty.
FinAid: Prepayment Calculator
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator shows the impact of making regular extra payments on a loan. It shows the interest savings and the number of payments saved from the repayment schedule as compared with a regular loan that has no prepayment.
Types of Colleges: The Basics
Slideshow from the College Board
This resource describes types of postsecondary schools and explains their differences
Resource from the Department of the Treasury
This webpage lists the exchange rates of U.S. dollars for various foreign currencies. The page is updated quarterly.
Resource from the Bureau of Labor Statistics
The CPI Inflation Calculator uses the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U) U.S. city average series for all items, not seasonally adjusted. This data represents changes in the prices of all goods and services purchased for consumption by urban households.
Fed FAQ: What is Inflation? (video)
Video from the Federal Reserve
This video covers what inflation is and how the Federal Reserve evaluates changes in the rate of inflation.
Federal Reserve: What is inflation?
Resource from the Federal Reserve
This webpage explains what inflation is and how the Federal Reserve evaluates changes in the rate of inflation.
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage lists ways organizations can protect Social Security numbers and links to resources for preventing theft of Social Security numbers.
Social Security Administration Public Service Announcements (PSAs)
Resource from the Social Security Administration
This webpage hosts downloadable PSAs that educate the public about Social Security, including Social Security scams.
Resource from USA.gov
This webpage provides information on state and local taxes, including income, sales, use, and property taxes.
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
U.S. Mint's H.I.P. Pocket Change: Coins
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This webpage offers kid-friendly information on the parts of each U.S. coin, what the coins are made of, and how they circulate. The resource also includes videos on the U.S. Mint’s coin-making process and on what the U.S. Mint does.
U.S. Currency Education Program's Currency Academy
Resource from the U.S. Mint
This digital learning experience lets young audiences discover how currency is used, observe artistic concepts found in currency, learn about how money works, and compare elements of the natural world to the special features found on currency.
Borrow
Resource from the Department of Labor
Use this tool to search thousands of scholarships, fellowships, grants, loans, and other financial aid award opportunities.
College Board: BigFuture: Community College FAQs
Resource from the College Board
This webpage provides answers to frequently asked questions about community college.
Federal Student Aid Home
Website from the Department of Education
Get information about preparing for college, types of federal aid, how to apply for aid using the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA); and your loan repayment options.
Federal Student Aid: Eligibility Requirements
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists the eligibility criteria for federal student aid (grants, work-study, and loans).
Federal Student Aid: Estimate Your Aid (FAFSA4caster)
Resource from the Department of Education
FAFSA4caster is a simple eligibility estimator tool that can help you plan when it comes to paying for college and gives you a free estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. You must use the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA®) form to apply for aid once you’ve decided to apply for admission and attend college.
Federal Student Aid: Grants
Resource from the Department of Education
Learn about the grant programs that are available from the U.S. Department of Education.
Federal Student Aid: Loan Simulator (formerly “Repayment Estimator”)
Resource from the Department of Education
The Loan Simulator is a tool to help you make decisions about your student loans. Use it to find a repayment plan that meets your needs and goals or to decide whether to consolidate.
Federal Student Aid: Types of Financial Aid
Resource from the Department of Education
This webpage lists student aid options including grants, work-study, loans, and scholarships.
Financial Aid Shopping Sheet
Resource from the Department of Education
This form is designed to simplify the information that prospective students receive about costs and financial aid.
FinAid: Loan Calculator
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator computes an estimate of the size of your monthly loan payments and the annual salary required to manage them without too much financial difficulty.
FinAid: Prepayment Calculator
Resource from FinAid: The SmartStudent guide to financial aid
This calculator shows the impact of making regular extra payments on a loan. It shows the interest savings and the number of payments saved from the repayment schedule as compared with a regular loan that has no prepayment.
Types of Colleges: The Basics
Slideshow from the College Board
This resource describes types of postsecondary schools and explains their differences
Use this CFPB tool throughout your homebuying process to explore the range of mortgage interest rates you can expect to receive. See how your credit score, loan type, home price, and down payment amount can affect your rate. Knowing your options and what to expect helps ensure that you get a mortgage that is right for you. Check back often -- the rates in the tool are updated every Wednesday and Friday.
Consumer.gov: Using Credit
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This webpage describes what credit is and how to use it.
FTC Consumer Information: Free Credit Freezes
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
This blog post explains free credit freezes and how to use them.
FTC Consumer Information: Minimum Payments on Credit Cards (video)
Video from the Federal Trade Commission
This video shows what happens when someone makes just the minimum payment on a credit card balance.
FTC Consumer Information: Using a Credit Card
Resource from the Federal Trade Commission
Offers information and tips about managing a credit card and keeping it safe.
MyCreditUnion: Interactive Credit Card Statement
Resource from the National Credit Union Administration
Use this interactive credit card statement to familiarize yourself with the terms and general information commonly included on a real credit card statement.
USA.gov: Credit Cards
Resource from USA.gov
Find out your rights when it comes to credit cards and how to choose the right one.
What Is a FICO Score?
Resource from Fair Isaac Corporation
This webpage explains FICO scores and why they are important.
Website from the Federal Trade Commission
Consumer.gov includes easy-to-read and understand resources for basic money management, credit, scams, and ID theft.
National Credit Union Association:My Credit Union
Website from the National Credit Union Administration
The National Credit Union Administration’s consumer protection website MyCreditUnion.gov and its financial literacy microsite, World of Cents , offer a variety of educational information, resources, and articles designed to help individuals make smarter financial decisions.
Legal disclaimer
The content on this page provides general consumer information. It is not legal advice or regulatory guidance. The CFPB updates this information periodically. This information may include links or references to third-party resources or content. We do not endorse the third-party or guarantee the accuracy of this third-party information. There may be other resources that also serve your needs.