Tools for this page
Print

  • Is it age appropriate?

    About our ratings

    (Flash is loading. If this text does not disappear you need to install the latest flash version)

    Not age appropriate for kids under 0, age appropriate for kids over 5; suggested age 7.

  • Is it any good?

    3.0

  • Common Sense says

    Cold, hard lessons on cash teach kids fiscal responsibility.

On this site kids can:   do research, get homework help, learn about a specific topic, play games, set goals

Why We Rated This on for Ages 7 and Up

The good stuff

  • Educational value:

    Worksheets and interactive games begin with the most basic money concepts like coin identification and progress through to near-MBA material like business accounting and investing in the stock market.

  • User-created content:

    Not an issue.

  • Messages:

    By providing number crunching exercises, this site gives the straight facts about money and spending. Kids can learn about budgeting for a car payment, estimating grocery bills, and how to earn some dough for all those expenses.
 

What to watch out for

  • Violence:

    Not an issue.

  • Sex:

    Not an issue.

  • Language:

    Not an issue.

  • Consumerism:

    There is a lot of solid advice about everything money-related, from budgeting to credit and investing. The bad news is that each page includes "Ads by Google" that are the same font and color as the site's menu items. There are also banner ads that include promotions for non-budget friendly companies, like casinos.

  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking:

    Not an issue.
 

How safe is it?

  • Personal privacy:

    Parents need to register their email address on the site in order to access additional content.

  • Online interaction:

    Not an issue.

  • Parental controls:

    Not an issue.
 

What Parents Need to Know

About Money Instructor

Parents need to know this is not a site you can just log your kids on to and let them get amused and educated. This site is designed to be a guide for parents (and teachers, too) that offers lesson plans and printable exercises. Although there are some interactive online games, the majority of the site is designed for families to do together. And that's probably a good thing, since the Google ads featured on nearly every page can easily be mistaken for the site's content.

Did this review help you decide?

Families Can Talk About

  • Families can talk about online worlds that use cyber cash. Would you spend your virtual cash differently than real money? Is it easier to make and spend money in a virtual world than in real life? Read our Money Lessons in Online Worlds Tips to learn about the differnece between cyber cash and the real thing.

  • Families can talk about how kids spend money. What is the difference between a "want" and a "need?" Do you think advertisers target kids and entice them to spend money on toys and clothes they don't necessarily need? Check out Selling to Kids Tips and rein in those wallets.

  • Families can talk about the importance of learning money smarts. What would happen if you didn't know the difference between coins or how to count change? Is it important to also know how to create a budget or make payments on a car, even if you aren't old enough to tackle those responsibilities yet?
Tools and tips that can help

Want more? Get Common Sense recommendations delivered to your inbox.

Our Members Say

Use this Web site? Review It!

  • What did you think about Money Instructor?

  •  I think this Web site is

    for ages

  •  I also give it

  •  Any concerns?

  •  Any highlights?

  •  Love it? Hate it?

  • or to post a review

More Great Stuff For Your Kids

  • Most Popular This Week

    New Moon Is Rising

    New Moon Is Rising

    Fans are gearing up for the 11/20 release.

  • Issue Spotlight

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Rules of the Road for Texting

    Set limits long before they get behind the wheel.

  • Book of the Week

    Age 10+
    Million-Dollar Throw

    Million-Dollar Throw

    Another Lupica sensitive dad/son sports story.

  • Pick of the Week

    Holiday Websites

    Holiday Websites

    Where to surf, turkey time and beyond.

  • Download This

    Age 10+
    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    The Twilight Saga: New Moon Soundtrack

    Dark, cool tunes OK for kids too young for the movie.

Give Us a Minute, Get a Lot of Common Sense!
  • Age-appropriate best bets for your kids
  • Weekly email alert with the latest picks, reviews & advice
  • Post your own reviews and share them with friends
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
A screen name protects your privacy
(It's free!)

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
To post a review or comment you must become a Common Sense Member. It's easy!
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations.
A screen name protects your privacy
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
(optional)
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child

Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
We can make Common Sense just right for you. With a little info about you and your family, you'll get the most out of our site.
Set-up your account
This will never be displayed to others.
Your email will never be displayed to others.
Your password should be 6-10 characters long.
Tell us your children's ages
You'll see the movies, games, books, shows, music, and sites our editors select just for them. As your children get older, our picks will grow with them!
Why we ask for this
We never display your children's names, (or nicknames) to anyone, but you. Providing your children's ages allows us to personalize information on our site, so you get better information, faster.
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
is
until
Add another child
Choose a screen name
It will appear when you post your own reviews and recommendations
A screen name protects your privacy
Already a member? Log in
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.
Register to add this school to your profile. You'll be able to see and share reviews from parents, teachers, and kids at your child's school.
I'm already a Common Sense member.
Kids under 13 must use a screen name
Your family's privacy is our highest priority.
See our privacy policy, community guidelines, and terms of use.