It's never too early, or too late, to do some good financial planning.  This week I came across two websites that are both unique and thought-provoking.  Whether you are very young, or maybe have very young ones at home, or very old, you can put these sites to good use.

The first is from Disney.  It's a website that they have created called "The Great Piggy Bank Adventure."  The link to the site is www.piggybank.disney.go.com.  It is an online virtual board game that ties in with an attraction at the INNOVENTIONS Pavilion at Disney's EPCOT theme park at Walt Disney World.

It's a game designed for kids ages 8 to 14, but I must admit, I enjoyed the time I spent "researching" the site.  The goal of the game is to teach kids, and families, about the importance of financial planning.  

During the game, kids can learn about setting goals, savings and spending wisely, inflation, asset allocation and diversification.  Guided by your personal P.I.G. (which stands for Personal Investment Guide), you make your way through the virtual game board trying to avoid the Big Bad Wolf, who at various times represents impulse purchases, inflation and risk…all of which can hurt your financial plan.

While playing, kids will learn about tough choices that will affect their financial plans, how to use different investment strategies for growing their assets, and how to choose and accomplish their own goals.  In the game, your assets are "truffles" that you collect and spend along the way.

It's challenging, fun and educational.  I strongly recommend that you go check it out…even if you don't have a young one that can help you.

The other site is on the opposite end of the financial planning spectrum.  It deals with an issue that, like taxes, is inevitable, and we all have to face…end of life planning.  Unfortunately, most people spend more time planning how they will pay their taxes than they do planning their "final farewell."  

It's human nature not to want to talk about "death" planning.  But, without a plan, you are forcing your loved ones to make decisions while suffering emotionally.  This site can help…and as strange as it sounds, it's kind of fun too.

The website is www.MyWonderfulLife.com.  It is a free site that, after registering, provides a secure place for you to plan your own funeral.  I don't plan on attending my funeral any time soon, but I signed up recently and have started planning for it.  And, if my plan changes over the years, I can keep it current on the site.

Once registered, your virtual "myBook" is created.  You can designate up to six "Angels" who will be the loved ones in charge of carrying out your wishes.  You can describe what you want to happen with your body after death…cremation, or burial.  You can even write your own obituary and design your own headstone.  There's an area called "myPictures" where you can post pictures to be used during your service, or just archived for future generations.

The "myMusic" chapter in "myBook" allows you to list your favorite songs and indicate which, if any, you would like used during your service (I'm thinking "Funeral for a Friend" for mine).
"myWritings" is where you can post favorite stories, poems or quotes and let your Angels know whether to include them in your service.  

My favorite area is called "myMemories, Thoughts & Values."  Here, you can leave stories, answer questions about how you lived your life, and pass on memories, principles and values that were important to you.  When a loved one passes, their life stories pass with them.  This part of the site will allow current and future generations to know about the stories that were important to you.  Wouldn't it be wonderful if our parents and grandparents would have had this available to them?  Our kids, and their kids, could get to know the generations before them in a virtual way.

The next area is "myFamily" which lets you leave information about your kids, pets, etc.  "myLetters to Loved Ones" is next.  It's self-explanatory, but SO important.  The letters will be kept on the site until after your death.  Finally, there's an area called "myStuff" which lets you list important information your Angels need to know: the location of your will, your investments, bank accounts, etc.  

You've heard the expression, "if you want it done right, do it yourself."  This site gives you the tools to make sure your Final Farewell is done the way you want it to be.  And your Angels will thank you for it.