For a large percentage of the population, they would like to either make or save more money. However, with the current economic conditions in the world it can be a difficult goal for many people. One of the major problems is that people don't know enough about money, either saving or properly budgeting it. To solve that problem, consumers need to become smarter and become better educated about money.

People, both young and old, need to learn how to save money, budget money for everyday and future expenses and save money for retirement. There are a variety of ways to earn more money, that doesn't include looking for money in the cushions of your sofas and chairs. Cutting back on everyday expenses and saving money for special needs are just a few of the ways to make your financial situation.

But the best way is to start teaching about money and finances at an early age. To help teach adults and kids about money and budgeting, please feel free to utilize the following resources. We hope this information helps you to save more money, without overturning the cushions of your sofa.

Managing Your Personal Finance

• Jump$tart ��� Kids can find heaps of personal finance resources here!
• Debt ��� Debt is the amount owed when money is borrowed from another party.
• Budgets ��� Find out what a budget is and how to make one of your own.
• All About Saving ��� Learn about saving and why it is a good thing to do.
• A Guide to Banks (PDF) ��� Check out this comic to learn how banks function and how they can help you.
• Building Wealth ��� Information on personal finances from the Dallas Federal Reserve.

Online Money and Finance Information

• Money and Credit ��� Consumer information from the FTC.
• Finance Arcade Games ��� Try Money Metropolis, Peter Pig's Money Counter and other fun games to learn about finances!
• Escape from Barter Islands ��� Learn all about trading goods and services.
• The Change Maker ��� Practice making change for various amounts in different currencies.
• At the Farm ��� At this special farm, you can only buy things if you have the exact change.
• Lemonade Stand ��� Can you budget well enough to run your own lemonade stand?
• FedMatch ��� Play a card matching game based on money words and phrases.

Money Printables

• Coins for Snacks (PDF) ��� Read the Snack Shack menu and count out the coins needed for each treat.
• Customized Worksheets ��� Configure the settings to create your own money worksheets.
• The Econ Explorers (PDF) ��� Print this journal to help track your spending.
• My Money Workbook (PDF) ��� Print and work through this book on borrowing, saving, investing and much more.
• Money Word Puzzles ��� Complete the money word games and matching puzzles.
• Counting Money ��� Use the worksheets to learn how to count coins correctly and quickly.

Money WebQuests and Research Projects

• Follow the Money ��� Track how money moves through the economic system!
• Savings for Kids ��� Research how and why kids can save money.
• The Mint Needs You! ��� Help the U.S. Mint decide on a new coin to create.
• Economics ��� In this webquest, kids learn how economics functions and affects our world
• Foreign Currencies ��� Investigate an international crime gang and learn about foreign currencies along the way!
• Where Does Money Go? ��� Complete this webquest to learn how money circulates.

Teaching Resources for Parents and Educators

• Interactive Notes ��� Introduce kids to new note denominations with a virtual interactive 3D demo.
• Economics Resources ��� Pick from various economics games and articles geared towards kids.
• Economics Lessons ��� This page offers plenty of lesson plans with varying economic and financial themes.
• Young Entrepreneurs ��� Help kids learn about business skills with this government program.
• Money History ��� Guide kids through the history and evolution of money.
• Finance Activities ��� These finance activities and lessons can be used in class or at home.
• Finance Skills ��� Get kids used to basic finance skills from an early age.

Other Financial Information

• Saving Money - In this web page you will find practical advice and tips on saving money.
• Solutions For Life - Helpful page with information on how to save money.
• Save Money Spend Less - This page from the University of Maine offers tips on saving more and spending less money.
• Strategies to Save Money - Useful checklist with ideas on how to save more money.