Mobile start-up companies and other organizations are working with financial institutions to assist consumers with apps and websites that address various financial tasks and concerns. These include:
- Albert (www.meetalbert.com) is a mobile app to guide your financial decisions with the assistance of various financial institutions.
- EARN (www.earn.org) is a national nonprofit to help low-income families create a habit of saving and break the cycle of financial instability.
- eCreditHero (www.getcredithero.com) is designed to fix errors that appear on an estimated 80 percent of the credit reports of Americans.
- Scratch (www.scratch.fi) helps borrowers to better understand, manage, and repay loans.
- WiseBanyan (www.wisebanyan.com) is a free financial advisor that suggests and manages investment plans for various financial goals, such as savings for retirement, creating an emergency fund, and buying a home.
For additional information on innovative financial planning apps, click here.
Teaching Suggestions
- Have students search for a website or app that would be of value of improved personal financial planning.
- Have students talk to others about the financial concerns they face. Ask students to propose an app or website that would address a personal finance concern.
Discussion Questions
- What personal financial planning areas provide people with the most difficulty?
- Describe potential apps or websites that might be created to assist people with their personal financial planning activities?
Melissa Hart
Focus on Personal Finance, 7e 