Canada
In Canada, Visa runs two financial literacy programs — a school-based program called “Choices & Decisions — Taking Charge of Your Financial Life,” and “Practical Money Skills,” an online resource for consumers, students and teachers.
Originally introduced in 1996, Visa's Choices & Decisions program is a flexible, curriculum-based classroom resource used by business educators, math teachers and guidance counselors to teach high school students about financial management, budgeting, career planning, goal setting and financing postsecondary education.
Available for download or in hard copy, Choices & Decisions includes 15 chapters of lesson plans, prepared overhead presentations, quizzes and activity worksheets. Since its inception, more than 5,000 schools have used the curriculum.
The Practical Money Skills program, developed in 2004, educates Canadians about budgeting, saving, investing and spending. It includes a hard copy brochure and a website offering "financial basics for the real world." Practical Money Skills offers tips and advice around specific life events that require financial decisions, from purchasing a home or car to preparing for retirement to managing student loans. The website offers interactive money management and education tools including calculators, budget planners and quizzes.
