Click on what you want to buy to get started.
Ever buy or receive something you didn't really use or appreciate? Gifting Sense is an award-winning early financial education nonprofit that helps young people make thoughtful, informed spending decisions. That's how kids discover that anyone can gather and use financial information to help shape their own future. We offer free, fun, and interactive financial literacy workshops and activities for kids (ages 9-18) — chief among them, our mindful spending tool, the DIMS – DOES IT MAKE SENSE?® SCORE Calculator.
Gifting Sense has distributed 60,000 pencils to schools and community groups since 2020. 20,000 at the 2024 and 2025 Jump$tart National Educator Conferences; the remaining on demand to educators/ community groups requesting them.
Our process is FREE and SAFE. No personal info, sign-up, or payment is needed! In a few minutes, you can learn how to ask and answer simple questions about items or experiences you want to buy. This helps you have informed, productive conversations about spending at home or in the classroom.
STEP 1
Are you considering buying an item (sports equipment, electronics, clothing, toys...) or an experience?
STEP 2
How much will sales tax and shipping add to the cost of a new phone? How much will safe transportation, snacks, and souvenirs add to the total cost of going to that concert or pro sports event?
STEP 3
This is a chance to think about how much you will use or appreciate this purchase.
STEP 4
Time to show your work! Share your DIMS SCORE® and all the math and thinking that went into it. Use your DIMS SCORE® report to guide a relaxed, productive conversation about spending.
No more repeat, wrong-size, or unappreciated gifts — and fewer unused clothes, toys, and tech in landfills.
Kids discover that anyone can gather and use financial information to help shape their own future.
Young people understand what a purchase truly involves before they (ask for help to) make it!
GIFTING SENSE®, DIMS SCORE®, and DIMS - DOES IT MAKE SENSE?® are all registered trademarks.
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© 2015 - 2026 Gifting Sense. All rights reserved.
Our cookies might not come with milk, but they do sweeten your experience! Approving them keeps Gifting Sense's features baking perfectly. Please don't forget, we do NOT collect personal information, unless you send it to us via the Contact Us or Pencil Order Form. And we'll never sell it.
