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Although parents say they understand the importance of talking to their kids about money, teenagers are not learning what they need to be financially fit for the real world. A recent survey reveals that nearly 80 percent of parents feel it is very important to discuss personal finance with their teenagers, but when tested on their own knowledge of personal financial management, only 23 percent of the parents passed.

Research also shows that 50 percent of high school seniors received a grade of “F” when their general financial knowledge was put to the test.

To increase teens’ financial fitness and help them prepare for life after high school, H&R Block is donating more than $1 million in personal finance curriculum grants to high schools nationwide. Offered through its H&R Block Dollars & Sense™ program, the grants provide interactive software and lesson plans that assist teachers with personal finance instruction. The curriculum allows teens to experience real-life situations without real-life consequences. In addition to curriculum grants, H&R Block Dollars & Sense will offer college scholarships and online advice from a financial psychologist, Dr. Brad Klontz.

Dr. Klontz is co-founder of Your Mental Wealth™ and CEO of Klontz Consulting Group. He works with H&R Block Dollars & Sense as a financial psychologist providing insight on personal finance management and advice on talking to teens about money.

To date, only 21 states require some sort of personal finance education for high school students. The remaining states have no requirements, leaving individual schools the choice to implement personal finance instruction. However, it is financially difficult for many schools to add new subject matter into their curriculum offerings.

For more information, visit hrblockdollarsandsense.com.

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Online socializing–Facebook, instant messaging and texting–is the new “hanging out” among teens. When teens interact with friends online, they often share personal information that makes them vulnerable for identity theft. Scam artists are relying on teens to be impulsive and naive to steal personal information for their own gain. ID Experts offers eight safety tips for teenagers when online, to protect their identity and their financial future when it’s time to apply for that first credit card or buy that first car:

1. Don’t give out your numbers. This includes your social security number, driver’s license number, debit card, phone card, insurance card, library card, medical ID card, or credit card.

2. Don’t post your personal information online. Nearly 50% of Facebook users put enough personal information–including full name, full date of birth, address, phone number, or school–to enable thieves to fill out credit card applications.(i)

3. Don’t participate in email or social networking quizzes. These seemingly fun personality quizzes can access your personal profile information–your religion, political affiliation, wall posts–that could be used against you.(ii)

4. Don’t be specific about where you are or where you are going. Naming your school, sports team, clubs, or where you work could leave a trail for an identity thief.

5. Set your profile to “private.” Be in control of who can view your content. Only add people you know to your Friends list. A friend of a friend might not be someone you know.

6. Use a different, isolated email just for social networking. Never use the “trusted” email you use to communicate directly with your friends, coworkers and classmates.

7. Secure your connections. Password-protect your phone. Find out from your carrier if additional security features (encryption) or software (a malware protector) are available. Don’t access your social networking sites or email from public Internet connections or public computers.

8. Be selective about what pictures you text or post on your page. Is it a photo you would want your parents to see? Treat your Internet activity like a digital tattoo. Once you post something, it cannot be taken back. Even if you erase the posting, there are cached versions and backups on servers across the country.

For more information, visit idexpertscorp.com.

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There’s a tendency for consumers to rush and apply for a new credit card. With so many resources available and which happens to be dispersed through out the media, it can be difficult for the consumer to find the appropriate credit card that will best fit their needs. CreditCardCreditNews.com was created specifically to keep the consumer inform on the newest credit cards while providing breaking news from the entire credit industry.

Finding the best credit card typically requires a consumer to look through the widest selection of cards available. Since banks and financial service companies frequently launch new credit cards that often feature new rewards or better rates, staying on top of the latest announcements will help the consumer choose the best available credit card while keeping them informed on all matters that concern their credit and personal finances.

The idea to create a dedicated credit card news website to assist consumers with their search for the best credit card was formulated and designed by KP Kwan, a Librarian and Certified Web Designer.

For more information, visit creditcardcreditnews.com.

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Today’s consumer has an average of 13 credit obligations on record at a credit bureau. With so many obligations, consumers need up-to-date credit card tools and help more than ever before.

To that end, Card Hub, the world’s most innovative credit card portal, recently announced the expansion of its “Tools and Help” section, which offers free and comprehensive advice and tools for U.S. consumers. This new source of credit card help is now available online.

For the 49 percent of adults who say, according to a Harris Poll, they are concerned they have not paid enough attention to managing their finances as they should have and the 48 percent who are concerned they don’t know enough about financial planning, this expansion could not come at a better time.

New Credit Tools

In addition to the industry-first Free Credit Estimator, which offers a credit check based upon a few simple questions, the Tools section now includes a “Junk Mail Opt Out” service. This allows consumers to opt out from pre-approved credit card offers either for five years or on a permanent basis.

Expanded Education Center

The Education Center has always been an important facet of Card Hub, but now it has more than tripled in size. In addition to a credit glossary of more than 200 terms and definitions, Card Hub also features articles about common credit questions and a new Question of the Week feature.

Personalized Credit Advice

Card Hub’s new Credit Card Advisor allows users to receive a fully customized recommendation for the credit card best suited to their credit history and needs, without requiring them to submit sensitive personal information. A proprietary algorithm, built by the Card Hub team of industry veterans, sifts through numerous credit cards for each consumer. From start to finish, the process takes less than two minutes.

For more information, visit cardhub.com.

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