Web Link Bibliography
The following web sites could be used in a business education class studying money management. They have been divided into three categories: credit, investing, and money management skills. With the exception of the ones dedicated to lesson plans, these sites could be used as references for either teachers or students.
The Federal Trade Commission's web site on Credit—This site contains a good basic summary of the Fair Credit Reporting Act. Also contains a listing with brief descriptions of all current federal rules and acts pertaining to credit. Topics are categorized for individuals or for businesses so one could emphasis the topic from either angle. Site is designed for adults but appropriate for high school students. Visited on 2/18/06.
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/index.html
The Federal Reserve Board—Consumer Handbook to Credit Protection Laws—This site includes a good synopsis of credit. Emphasis is placed on the cost of credit to the user. A brief description of current laws applicable to credit and electronic funds transfer is given. The site has links to other online pamphlets with related information. This site is designed for adults but appropriate for high school students. Visited on 2/19/06.
http://www.federalreserve.gov/pubs/consumerhdbk/
Compliance Assistance By Law—The Consumer Protection Act—The main focus of this site is the Consumer Protection Act. There is a strong emphasis placed on wage garnishment and related legal issues. Appropriate for adult learners, but Consumer Protection Act could be studied in depth here by high school students. Visited on 2/19/06.
http://www.dol.gov/compliance/laws/comp-ccpa.htm
Credit Protection Laws-US—contains articles relating to credit. Excellent discussion of the 4C’s of credit. Includes a description of the Consumer Credit Protection Act with links to related laws. Contains a good explanation of finance charges and annual percentage rate principles. Should be used as a teacher resource as text is written at an adult level. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.creditguru.com/4Cs.shtml
Credit Card Smarts--Consumer and Family Economics—a listing in PDF format of issues related to credit. Topics include everyday credit concerns such as getting rid of accumulated debt, how to determine how much credit is enough for an individual, comparing credit cards, and tips for controlling debt during the holidays. Savings and credit card calculators are included with appropriate exercises and examples. Topics are brief and easily understood by high schoolers and the calculators are a great learning tool. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.ace.uiuc.edu/cfe/ccs/index.html
Credit card news and advice—An online newsletter containing links to articles dealing with current topics in the field of credit. Identify theft, personal finance, taxes, and debt management are also addressed. Several different calculators are included. The articles are brief and up-to-date. This site could be used by high school students although it is written for adults. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/news_cc_home.asp
Best Credit Cards-Credit Card Reviews and Online Applications—This is an online newsletter with brief, easy to read articles on credit. It has an especially good article on comparing credit cards and one discussing ways to build a good credit rating as a student. High school students would find this website easy to read and pertinent to them. Visited on 2/19/06.
http://www.crediteria.com/Personalcc/index.htm
Changing Your Life Through Better Money Management—This is a general purpose, self-improvement website covering topics such as monetary goal setting, debt consolidation, taxes, bankruptcy, saving and credit. Written for adults but high school students will easily be able to manage the reading. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.managingmymoney.com/
The Basics of Money Management—This site approaches handling money from the business owner’s point of view. It discusses topics someone interested in starting their own business must consider, such as is the business going to accept credit and how will it collect payment. Bookkeeping and general financial management issues are also introduced. This website would be easily understood by high school students. It may open their eyes to topics that must be considered as a sole proprietor. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.entrepreneur.com/article/0,4621,322578,00.html
Practical Money Skills for Life—At Home—This is a good comprehensive website providing information on savings and investing, managing your money, and credit. It contains an excellent comparison between credit and debit cards. This site is broken down into the following categories: at school, at home, at work. The student section contains lessons plans and activities for teachers and is geared for three age levels: teenagers, young adults and adults. Visited on 2/19/06.
http://www.practicalmoneyskills.com/english/at_home/
The mint—owing money. This is an excellent comprehensive website dealing with budgeting, banking, investing and credit. The teacher section includes lesson plans prepared by the National Council on Economic Education on budgeting, credit, the stock market, and basic economic theory. It is written for middle school and up and includes some ideas for younger children. Visited on 2/20/06. http://www.themint.org/owing/index.php
Mymoney.gov—This site is managed by the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. Categories covered include budgeting and taxation, banking on the Internet, historical information about US currency, choosing a credit card, consumer protection information, savings, and investing. Included is a nice introduction to financial statements, global economy and use of the Internet, and a consumer price index converter calculator. This site also has links to lesson plans for certain topics which are broken down by grade level. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.mymoney.gov/mymoneyinfo.shtml#budget
Economics, Business Lesson Plans—This website has lesson plans for all age groups dealing with economics. Some of the plans are quite interactive, especially the ones for the younger children. The high school teacher will have to review each lesson to see if it can be amended for use with older children. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.teach-nology.com/teachers/lesson_plans/economics/
Teaching Mathematics to Children: Checking Account Math—This website has some basic information on checking accounts. Topics include completing signature cards, checks, and check registers. This lesson plan was developed for grades 3 to 6 and meant to extend over several class periods. It could very easily be amended for the high school level with the basic lesson to be concluded in one class period. Extension of the lesson could include reconciling a check register and having the students use an Excel spreadsheet to keep the check register. Visited 2/21/06.
http://www.burbank.com/math/checking.shtml
Wachovia Guide to Money Management—This website contains hints on good money management skills focusing mainly on budgeting. It also has links to third party websites not affiliated with Wachovia dealing with personal finance issues. It is geared to an adult audience. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.wachovia.com/personal/page/0,,505_508,00.html
Young Investor—Topics on this website are divided into the following categories: kids, teens, parents, and teachers. The site includes lesson plans for teachers with several interactive projects at the end of the lessons. An introduction to stocks and bonds, general investment topics, and college planning are among the teen topics. Visited 2/20/06.
http://www.younginvestor.com/teens/investIt/
http://www.moneyinstructor.com/
An Introduction to Stocks and Bonds—A very good introductory site. Topics include stocks and bonds, mutual funds, certificates of deposit, Securities and Exchange Commission. Also included are directions on how to read a stock listing. Written for adults but because topics are broken down into manageable pieces, high school students would have no problem with the site. Visited on 2/19/06.
http://library.thinkquest.org/3298/doc/stockbond.html
SEC Roadmap-Choices—This web site includes basic definitions and information on stocks and bonds and mutual funds. It also includes career information in these professions with emphasis placed on brokers. A mutual fund calculator is included. This would be a good resource for a teacher. It is written on an adult level and is rather dry reading. Visited 2/20/06.
http://www.sec.gov/investor/pubs/roadmap/choice.htm
Introduction to Small Caps—A good introduction to the stock market. The site contains brief descriptions of stocks, bonds, etc. New vocabulary is introduced by pop up definitions. These are definitely useful in a student’s understanding of the material. This website was designed for an adult. Visited on 2/20/06.
http://www.investopedia.com/articles/01/080101.asp
Stock Basics-What are the Basic Stock Facts You Need to Know—This website gives some basic information about stocks and does a good job of explaining the difference between common stock and preferred stock. There are links to lots of related articles leading to a more in-depth study of stocks. This site is only for stocks, not bonds or mutual funds. Written for an adult but usable for high school students since the articles are very short in nature. Visited 2/21/06.
http://stocks.about.com/od/understandingstocks/a/Stockintro.htm
Stocks and Bonds—This website contains simple, basic information about stocks and bonds. Common and preferred stock, bonds, and mutual funds are covered. After reading the page, there is a quiz which may be taken to check understanding. There are also links to similar pages with related topics in Economics. The site was written for the high school student. The quiz may be used as a resource for teachers. Visited on 2/21/06.
http://www.mcwdn.org/ECONOMICS/Stocks.html