How to Be a Savvy Consumer of Financial Information
Unit 5 · Lesson 5.11 · Last updated June 2026
A 45-minute computer-based lesson where students evaluate real-world financial messaging, identify red flags and cognitive biases used in scams, and learn to find credible sources of financial information.
Overview
In this lesson, students evaluate real-world financial messaging through a computer-based activity, identifying and generating their own financial messaging red flags before comparing their ideas to patterns identified by behavioral economists. As they progress, students explore how common tactics and cognitive biases can influence decision making and learn about credible sources of financial information. The lesson concludes with a no-stakes retrieval quiz.
Learning Objectives
- Recognize questionable financial messaging.
- Identify credible sources of financial information.
Create a free account, or log in.
Get full access to materials, the complete lesson sequence, aligned standards, and every lesson across all units.
Already a member? Sign in here.
Materials
- Instruction Slides (display during class period)
- Student Handout pp. 3–4 (1 copy per student)
- Savvy Consumer Boot Camp (make a copy and provide each student with electronic access as "view only")
- Computers or tablets (1 device per student)
- Pick the Right Resource pp. 5–6 (1 copy per student)
OR - Digital Pick the Right Resource (requires a Google account)
Optional
- Headphones (1 pair per student — for audio in Cases A and C of the Boot Camp)
Lesson Sequence
Slides 2–13
- Display Slide 2. Instruct students to discuss the prompt on the slide with a partner. (Additional educator tips and suggested answers are in the notes section throughout Instruction Slides.)
- Advance to Slide 3, which includes a short video clip introducing some of the data. Play the video clip.
- Display Slide 4. Reveal what the data shows about the average age of online scam victims.
- Proceed to Slide 5. Tell students to consider the prompts on the slide as they examine data related to financial messaging.
- Advance through Slides 6–10. Use the text and graphics on each slide to briefly present the data.
- Display Slide 11. Instruct students to discuss the prompts on the slide with a peer for 30 seconds.
- Proceed to Slide 12. Use the text on the slide to supplement student responses and contextualize the upcoming Boot Camp activity.
- Advance to Slide 13 and introduce the learning objectives for the lesson.
Slides 14–17
- Progress through Slides 14–15. Distribute 1 copy of Student Handout to each student and introduce the task using the information on Slide 15.
- Advance through Slides 16–17. Provide an overview of how students will navigate Savvy Consumer Boot Camp to complete their handout. Demonstrate how to view the slides as a "Slideshow," use the buttons to navigate the Boot Camp slides, and when to record information on Student Handout.
- Provide each student with a laptop or tablet and access to Savvy Consumer Boot Camp. Allow approximately 30 minutes to complete the exercise individually. Circulate while students work, answering questions as necessary. Note: There is audio included in Cases A and C. If students have access to headphones, they may use them for this portion of the Boot Camp.
Slides 18–19
- As students complete the Boot Camp activity, progress through Slides 18–19.
- Distribute 1 copy of Pick the Right Resource to each student when they complete the Boot Camp. Tell them to follow the instructions on Slide 19. If using the digital version, send students a link to the form or include the link on Slide 44 of Savvy Consumer Boot Camp.
- If tight for time, assign Pick the Right Resource as an out-of-class activity.
Aligned Standards
National Standards for Personal Financial Education
What Educators Are Saying
Students appeared surprised that their demographic was the most at-risk for fraud and scams — especially since they are active on social media. I like how students came up with their own mnemonic devices to remember what to look out for.
One of the biggest strengths of Econiful is that it provides meaningful, ready-to-use lessons while still giving teachers room to personalize their classrooms.
You are saving me so much time, and literally training the future generation of teachers — so thank you!!