Personal Finance Inquiry Lessons
These lessons guide students through research, activities, and worksheets to answer a relevant personal finance question. Each lesson can take up to a week. Use these lessons in your Economics course to teach multiple personal finance standards in one lesson or use them as standalone projects in a personal finance course.
Will I ever be able to purchase a home?
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the affordability of purchasing a home. By investigating the compelling question, “Will I ever be able to afford to purchase a home?” students evaluate the financial and non-financial implications of this decision.
How will taxes affect my life?
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the far reaching tentacles of taxation. By investigating the compelling question, “How will taxes affect my life?” students connect how taxes impact the income they earn and money they spend.
Should I buy or lease a vehicle?
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the implications of choosing to buy or lease a vehicle. By investigating the compelling question “Should I buy or lease a vehicle?” students evaluate the financial and non-financial implications of this decision.
What are the ethical considerations in Personal Finance Management?
This inquiry leads students through the ethical questions that accompany choices about what to do with their money. By investigating the compelling question “What are ethical considerations in personal finance management?” students evaluate the financial and non-financial implications of this decision.
Will I Have to Work Until I'm 70 Years Old?
This lesson guides students through a comprehensive exploration of the key factors influencing retirement age, combining insights on budgeting, career paths, and investment strategies. Students will examine how financial habits, such as saving and investing, interact with career choices and educational attainment to shape their financial security and retirement prospects.
Should I buy or rent a home?
This inquiry is designed to guide secondary students as they explore the compelling question: "Should I buy or rent a home?" By engaging with these activities, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing homeownership and rental decisions, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed choices in their future financial lives.
Does my credit score even matter?
This inquiry is designed to guide secondary students as they explore the compelling question: "Does my credit score even matter?" By engaging with these activities, students will develop a comprehensive understanding of the factors that influence credit scores, equipping them with the knowledge to make informed choices in their future financial lives.
How will student loans impact my life?
This inquiry leads students through an investigation of the impact of student loans on their lives. By investigating the compelling question, “How will student loans affect my life?” students will learn about the different kinds of student loans, the long-term consequences of loan debt, and effective strategies for paying off student loans.
All About Investing
Lessons that explain the basics of investing—from compound interest to ethics. Each lesson contains a slide deck and worksheet and can be used individually or as a package. This series can also be used as base content for an Investment Club.
Paper Robots
Lessons based on Dr. Stephen Day’s popular blog, which brings insights from economics, education, and life to help teach economics in a practical and family-focused context. Each lesson includes a slide deck with comprehension questions, economic concepts, discussion questions, and extension lessons or activities.
Search our Personal Finance Resource Library
Explore our personal finance resource library for lessons to empower high school students with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve financial independence as adults.