Investing

Our research has shown that investing is the topic that educators feel least comfortable in teaching. This section represents another great opportunity to arrange for a community member to speak to your class. It is also highly recommended that, during your course, students participate in the Stock Market Game (www.smgohio.org). National research has shown that students who play SMG retain significantly more personal finance and economics knowledge than student who do not play. This product has its own database of teacher lessons and demands critical thinking skills from students.

The difference between saving and investing is that saving is simply not spending. With inflation, this is actually a way to lose purchasing power. Investing involves using any product that grows your money over time. At this point in the course, compound interest has already been introduced. Savings accounts, banking and goal setting have been introduced. Now is when you get into the depth of investing and how to reach those goals. Remember to focus the most time on what is valuable and relevant to your students; they are likely more interested in buying a car or going to college than saving for retirement.