Bismarck, ND – North Dakota has unveiled a new online financial literacy tool aimed at helping students and teachers better understand personal finance. The resource, named “Smart with My Money,” is designed to support educators in meeting curriculum requirements while also providing students with independent access to valuable money management knowledge.
Available for free through the North Dakota Education Portal on PowerSchool, SmartWithMyMoney.nd.gov is a comprehensive platform developed to teach financial concepts with a focus on the behavioral side of money. The website is tailored to help students understand how their personalities influence financial decisions, promoting better money habits at an early age.
State Treasurer Thomas Beadle highlighted the significance of the initiative, noting that financial literacy is essential for improving both financial stability and overall well-being. “This critical skill set takes time and practice to master, but it pays huge dividends later in life,” Beadle said.
The platform offers a wealth of content, including 34 standard financial literacy courses, over 120 financial topics, and more than 2,800 resources such as articles, videos, and interactive tools. Topics covered range from strategies for saving money to navigating student loans, mortgages, and credit card usage.
State School Superintendent Kirsten Baesler praised the tool, calling it an invaluable resource for both students and families. “Families and students alike can tap into the wealth of knowledge on SmartWithMyMoney.nd.gov,” Baesler said, emphasizing its practical applications for daily financial decisions.
According to early reports, the platform has already shown positive results. During the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, users experienced notable reductions in financial stress, with 32% reporting decreased anxiety around finances. Additionally, 59% of users managed to build an emergency fund with three or more months’ worth of expenses, while 28% were able to pay off their credit card balances in full each month.
Bank of North Dakota (BND) President and CEO Don Morgan also praised the tool’s effectiveness. “The site results are tremendous, and so is the fact that North Dakotans have this powerful resource to turn to when they have questions or experience financial stress,” Morgan said. The platform includes a money personality quiz that tailors learning recommendations based on individual personality types, life stages, and financial goals.
The launch of SmartWithMyMoney.nd.gov is part of the broader “Smart with My Money” campaign, an initiative introduced during Financial Literacy Month in April 2024. The campaign’s goal is to make North Dakota the most financially literate state in the nation by 2027. Schools, colleges, businesses, and other organizations interested in joining the effort can reach out to Lance Hill at [email protected] for more information.
As North Dakota moves forward with this initiative, the state is positioning itself to help its residents—and especially its students—build strong financial foundations that will benefit them for years to come.
