AZ Investor

Basics of Saving and Investing for Students

When saving, you use financial instruments to safeguard and accumulate funds for short-term     spending goals. Saving instruments typically earn interest, have minimal or no risk to principal, emphasize safety and liquidity, but are subject to inflation risk. Before you even think about investing, it is recommended to maintain a "rainy day fund," an emergency fund with money that is liquid (easily accessible) and the principal is not at risk.

When investing, you use financial instruments to grow your money for long term goals such as retirement. Investing products allow you to gain a profit through interest, dividends, and/or increase in value, but your principal is at risk of loss. Each type of investment carries a certain level of risk. Understand how the investment works and if it's right for your age, investment objectives, and risk tolerance.

Even though you're a young student, don't delay in getting your saving and investing plan started--your future financial security depends upon it! Read more about getting on the path to saving and investing.

Money Smart for Students, Grades PreK to 12

In this resource from the FDIC, you'll find information, resources, activities, and conversation starters about money to help build those foundations.  This guide corresponds to the Money Smart curriculum that is typically instructed by an educator in a classroom or other group setting. This resource can also be used by all families with children, regardless of whether they are learning about these topics or not in school. Check it out below!

Helpful Websites about Personal Finance and Investing

CFPB - The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) is a federal agency that addresses issues concerning consumer financial products and services work for Americans — whether they are applying for a mortgage, choosing among credit cards, or using any number of other consumer financial products.
http://www.cfpb.gov

FINRA Foundation - The Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) has informative and real-world resources that both students and educators can utilize. 
http://www.saveandinvest.org

FDIC Learning Bank - The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation's site just for kids site tells you the who, what, when, where and why about this agency - with some help from Carmen Cents, the piggy bank! 
http://www.fdic.gov/about/learn/learning/index.html

FTC – The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) works to prevent fraudulent, deceptive, and unfair business practices in the marketplace and provide information to help consumers identify, stop, and prevent such practices.
https:///www.ftc.gov/tips-advice

Jump$tart - This is a coalition of diverse stakeholders in financial education. These organizations work together to educate and prepare our nation's youth for lifelong financial success. With the program, "BizKids," learn about the basics of personal money management. Find tips for balancing a checkbook and the basics of earning, spending, saving, and investing your MONEY.
Financial Fridays: Biz Kid$ - Jump$tart Coalition (jumpstart.org)

NASAA - The North American Securities Administrators Association is the oldest investor protection organization that offer resources for youth on wise investing and how to avoid fraud.
https://www.nasaa.org/investor-education/millennial-money-mission/smartphone-investing-apps/

Saving Bond for Kids - Want to know more about a savings bonds? If you have ever received one as a gift, this site will help you understand what they are, how they work. Look for the poster contest, games and fun facts about U.S. Savings Bonds. 
http://www.publicdebt.treas.gov/sav/savkids.htm

Social Security Kids Stuff - Social Security allows you to sock away money for retirement. You save by paying the federal government while you work. Later, when you can't or don't want to work, Social Security will send you a monthly check. 
http://www.ssa.gov/kids/kids.htm

NOTE: These websites are maintained by other governmental agencies or organizations outside of the Arizona Corporation Commission.

Learning Fun: Games, Puzzles, Cartoons & Quizzes

Kids, money does matter! Check out these online games and videos to learn important stuff about saving, investing and becoming a fraud fighter.

Fraud Scene Investigator

Become an FSI and take the online challenge to uncover an investment scam. You'll need Flash Player 10 or higher to play Fraud Scene Investigator.

Print out this FSI Board Game, grab some dice and challenge your friends or classmates to become the top FSI Investigator!

  Scam Blaster 

Ready to be a super hero and bust some scams? Go to the East Terrace at the Mall and enter Kablamo! Comics at your own risk. You'll need Flash Player 9 or higher to play Scam Blaster.

\ 

Fraud-Fighting Ninja Video Series

Learn about the red flags of investment fraud by watching these two-minute cartoon clips from NASAA to become a fraud-fighting ninja warrior  Hi-yah!

Going for the Gold

Timeshare King

Fraud Among Friends

Texas Tea Tycoon

Amateur Time

Brain Teasers

Challenge your noggin with Money Word Search and Money Word Scramble. Need help with the answers? Ask your teacher, parent, or send an email to: info@azinvestor.gov.

Investor Quizzes

Want to gauge your financial capability? Take the online, FINRA financial literacy quiz to test your money smarts.   

Are you an informed investor?  Test your investing smarts by taking this short, online Investor Knowledge Quiz, courtesy of FINRA. 

Know how to spot the red flags of investment fraud?  Complete NASAA's Investor Fraud Awareness Quiz online to find out. 

Presenters for Your Classroom

The Securities Division's Investor Education Coordinator coordinates the speakers bureau, which is composed of a knowledgeable group of staff members willing to speak to your group about investing wisely and avoiding investment fraud. All are available, without charge, to make a presentation.

Besides the scope and function of the Commission's Securities Division, some of the topics our presenters can discuss include:

      -How to Outsmart the Investment Swindlers

      -How to Become a Millionaire: Basics of Saving and Investing

      -How to Choose and Monitor Your Investment Professional

      -Basics of Stocks, Bonds & Mutual Funds

 To schedule a speaker, contact the Securities Division's Investor Education Coordinator at 602-542-0428 or email a request to info@azinvestor.gov.

Teaching Guides and Videos

Live "Stock" Adventure (Middle School/Advanced Elementary)

A fun and educational activity that should not only raise a student's awareness about the value of saving and investing, but also provide an innovative way to practice specific math skills such as calculating percentages and computing multi-digit numbers. Students select a live"stock" portfolio based upon their risk tolerance and return on investment.

It's educational fun! Preview the Live "Stock" Adventure Teacher Guide, a FREE resource for your elementary or middle school classroom. To receive the complete hard-copy materials (special playing cards, ledger sheet, livestock posters, send an email request to info@azinvestor.gov.

 FSI: Fraud Scene Investigator (High School, Grades 9-10)

A web-based, interactive investor education program that teaches students how to detect and stop a million-dollar investment fraud and put the mysterious con man, "Mr X," behind bars.

Preview the FSI online program before you order or download the teaching guide and board game for your classroom. Free!

Basics of Saving and Investing 2020 (High School, Grades 11-12)

An investment-specific resource divided into four self-contained teaching units to help your students understand the financial markets, make sound financial decisions and avoid investment fraud; includes suggested classroom exercises, worksheets, and test questions. Preview a teaching guide before you order this resource for your classroom. Free!

Con 'Em if You Can (Middle and High School)
Download the FREE educational app courtesy of FINRA then view these training videos from the "Con Art" School to see how fraudsters apply persuasion tactics to influence people to hand over their money. Also, be sure to download and share this handy tip sheet to learn how to spot the red flags of investment fraud and persuasion tactics that fraudsters employ to steal money.

 Videos

How to Become a Millionaire:  Basics of Saving and Investing (55 mins/ACC), Preview full video on YouTube.

Trick$ of the Trade: Outsmarting Investment Fraud (55 minutes/FINRA) Preview trailer

What Con Artists Don't Want You to Know (56 minutes/NASAA) (No trailer available)