ScanIt

Updating Allowance
Discovary page
Scanned Object Overview
Scanned object options
Review of action 1/2
Review of ALL actions
Scanned Object Overview 1/2
Scanning page

Inspiration

Our idea for SkanIt started when we realized almost everyone we know has a story about financial hardship. Whether it was watching a parent struggle to pay bills or seeing friends fall into credit card debt; we noticed a pattern. These weren’t careless people, they were smart, capable individuals who were never taught how money actually works.

What stood out to us most was that many financial struggles in adulthood can be traced back to gaps in financial education early in life. We were never taught how everyday choices add up, how value works, or how small financial decisions compound over time. And if we felt unprepared, how were the kids who grew up with even fewer resources? That’s when it clicked: financial literacy isn’t a “nice to have” skill, it’s a critical life skill, and we’re teaching it far too late.

What it does

SkanIt is a web application that helps kids build financial literacy by learning through the world around them. Instead of teaching money as abstract numbers, SkanIt lets kids scan everyday items like toys, water bottles, or clothing and shows how each object connects to a real financial concept. A reusable water bottle can teach one-time versus recurring costs, while a phone can introduce ideas like depreciation or opportunity cost.

Kids can also log an allowance amount, which gives their decisions real context and encourages mindful spending. After scanning an item, kids make a choice: buy it, skip it, or add it to a wish list. After deciding, they receive instant feedback along with experience points that reward thoughtful decisions. Every scanned item is saved to a dashboard so kids can revisit past concepts. SkanIt makes learning interactive, reflective, and grounded in real life.

How we built it

We built SkanIt as a web app to keep it accessible to kids worldwide, regardless of background or resources. We focused on making the interface intuitive, engaging, and kid-friendly. Frontend:

React.js + Vite
Tailwind CSS
Lottie animations Object Detection:
Google Vision API Backend:
Gemini API

Challenges we ran into

One of our biggest challenges was simplifying complex financial concepts without losing their meaning. Ideas like opportunity cost or depreciation aren’t easy for kids to understand. Translating concepts into appropriate explanations took careful thought and iteration.

Another major challenge was correctly identifying scanned objects. Everyday items come in many shapes, brands, and variations, and making sure the app consistently recognized them accurately enough to tie them to the right financial concept was challenging.

Another challenge was designing feedback that teaches without judging. We didn’t want kids to feel “wrong” for making a choice; instead, we wanted them to feel safe experimenting and learning from outcomes. Balancing education, encouragement, and accuracy pushed us to rethink traditional scoring systems and adopt a more supportive approach.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

We’re proud that we created a learning experience that turns everyday items into opportunities for growth and reflection. We’re proud that SkanIt makes financial literacy something approachable and grounded in everyday life. Making inconspicuous objects spark conversations about money reminded us that learning doesn’t always have to happen in classrooms.

What we learned

While researching for SkanIt, we learned that financial literacy isn’t just about numbers, it represents security, freedom, and opportunity.

We also learned that kids are capable of understanding far more than we often give them credit for, especially when learning is interactive and tied to their everyday experiences. Curiosity, when guided thoughtfully, can become a powerful educational tool.

What's next for ScanIt

In the future, we want to expand SkanIt’s library of objects and financial concepts so kids can explore deeper ideas as they grow. We’re also excited about the possibility of integrating this system into a camera-style toy to make learning more fun and encourage exploration.

Ultimately, our vision is to help shift financial education from something people learn after mistakes are made, to something kids grow up understanding naturally. If SkanIt can help even one child feel more confident about money than we did growing up, we believe it’s already made a difference.