Links

You can find lots of information online - some of it very good and some of it deliberately misleading. Whenever you look for information, be skeptical. Consider:

• Is it clear who the source is?
• Is the source reliable and unbiased?
• Is the information clear and fully explained?
• Is the information consistent with hard facts from other sources?

Here are some online resources that can help you. We believe they're reliable but we're not responsible for their content.

(If you know of other good resources, please let us know by clicking on Contact BCSC.)

Education and student resources

• Achieve BC – information on education and the work force
• Canlearn – information and planning guides on post-secondary education in Canada, including student loans and finances
• EducationPlanner – guide to post-secondary education in BC, including student finances
• Jump$tart Clearinghouse – searchable database of US education resources on financial literacy
• Ministry of Education – information about Planning 10 and other courses
• National Endowment for Financial Education Teacher's Guide – basic financial education on a variety of topics, from a US perspective
• Planning 10 IRP – Information about Planning 10
• WorkInfoNet Youth – information on self-employment

Financial planning

• Financial Planning Learning Centre – Financial Planners Standards Council of Canada
• Making A Financial Plan – Reader's Digest Canada

Consumer concerns

• Better Business Bureau – information about scams and rip-offs in Canada
• Canadian Consumer Information Gateway – consumer information from many sources
• Consumer Connection – Industry Canada gateway to consumer information
• Financial Consumer Agency of Canada – consumer information on financial institutions in Canada
• Public Safety – public safety information, including financial safety, frauds and scams

Other financial information

• BC Securities Commission – information from the regulator about securities, financial advisers, the investment process and investor protection
• Canadian Bankers Association – articles and information from Canadian bankers about banking
• Canadian Life and Health Insurance Association – information from the insurance industry about health and life insurance
• Credit Counselling Society – information about managing credit and debt in BC
• Financial Institutions Commission of BC – information from the regulator about credit unions, trust companies, real estate agents, mortgage brokers, insurance agents and insurance brokers
• Financial Services OmbudsNetwork – complaint resolution services for financial services in Canada, offered by a network of industry associations
• Insurance Bureau of Canada – information from the insurance industry about general insurance services and products
• Insurance Corporation of BC – information about car insurance and driver licensing in BC, including a section for youth
• Insurance Council of BC – information about insurance agents and brokers
• Investment Dealers Association of Canada – information from the securities industry about investing in Canada
• Kanetix – a commercial site with articles on various aspects of insurance
• Market Regulation Services Inc. – information about the rules governing Canada's stock exchanges
• Mutual Fund Dealers Association of Canada – information from the industry about mutual fund dealers
• Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions – information from the regulator about banks and other financial institutions in Canada
• Real Estate Council of BC – information about real estate agents and salespersons

Financial Stuff for Youth

• YourMoney – the basics on managing your money, from the Canadian Bankers Association
• Make It Your BizNiz – website for 14- to 24-year olds from the Québec Securities Commission
• Youth Matters – information and activities from the Ontario Securities Commission and others
• Street Cents – youth-oriented personal finance info from the CBC, including videos, blogs and a youth forum
• Consumer Jungle – entertaining, relevant information for youth, from the US
• Junior Achievement/Goldman Sachs Foundation Personal Finance Centre – US site with cool learning tools
• Teen Resource Bureau – financial stories and advice developed with a board of teen advisors from the US

Games (they're free!)

• Stockticker – stock market simulation game
• Gazillionaire – game of economic and business strategy
• Hollywood Stock Exchange – trade imaginary stocks based on the value of current movies and stars