Personal Financial Tools Represent Top Industry Standard

From preschool-aged kids through mature adults, the National Financial Educators Council (NFEC) creates personal financial tools that represent the most comprehensive, best aligned with research-based educational principles in the industry today. These superior financial literacy resources include online personal finance tools, curriculum for all ages, materials for hosting full-scale community events, and much more.

The most current research evidence guides the NFEC’s development of these best online personal finance tools and other resources. The program design does far more than just teaching basic knowledge of personal finance topics; it supports learners to develop positive financial habits and change their money management behaviors across the long term.

Pedagogical, Behavioral Research Guide NFEC Online Personal Finance Tools

The latest research in financial education tells us that each learner is singular in terms of learning style, motivation, reasons for learning, and desired outcomes. Guided by both the pedagogical canon and research on behavior change, the NFEC online personal finance tools were created with practical applicability in mind. Under the direction of an expert educational and financial curriculum development team, these top-notch personal finance resources were designed to encourage students to engage in active, rather than passive, learning. Project-based activities give learners opportunity to put their newly-acquired knowledge into action, driving the lessons home in a uniquely powerful way.

The modular lessons flow from warm-up exercises that trigger prior knowledge and build motivation; through interactive activities that can be adapted to fit preferred learning styles; to assessments and reflections that allow both students and instructors to evaluate what knowledge was retained, and what may need further attention. The transtheoretical model of behavior change is applied to help learners develop the patience and fortitude to move past any setbacks and relapses in their long-term efforts to make behavior change.

Evaluate the NFEC’s curriculum against the tools suggested by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau for financial education practitioners.

Patterns for Personal Financial Tools Methods

The Best Online Personal Finance Tools Use Variety of Touchpoints

The NFEC subscribes to the notion that the best online personal finance tools will be those that can be delivered in various ways, in order to reach the most people and achieve the highest level of positive outcomes. Mixing financial education products delivery methods boosts retention and provides learners with follow-up support that aids them in their daily life decisions. That’s why NFEC personal finance tools are delivered not only online, but also via in-person or continuing education methodologies. The online personal finance lesson plans are offered at three touchpoints:

  • Pre-programming. Marketing, registration, invitation, and survey tools.
  • During programming. Custom banners, handouts, and anticipatory education tools.
  • Post-programming. Learner certificates, financial systems, continuing education, and report templates.

Decisive Personal Financial Tools Selections

Featured by The Federal Reserve

The Federal Reserve has featured the NFEC’s multimethod approach on college campuses as a case study example of best practices.