April is National Financial Literacy Month, which is designed to create awareness about the importance of personal financial education. Over the next 4 weeks, we will be exploring different financial education topics with specific age-minded activities and links, designed for your use at home.
It seems that everything we do today relies on computers and the internet. We communicate, we are entertained, we rely on transportation navigation, we shop, we search for general information, and the list goes on. How much of your daily life relies on technology? Do you reach for your smartphone or tablet right away each morning or do you use it only when you have to? It is likely that much of your personal information is stored either on your own device or on someone else’s system (like your credit card companies for instance).
Because so many people rely on the internet, it is important to be aware of the risks and scams that threaten our online security. How to spot and avoid scams goes along with staying secure online. Providing these “bad actors” with our personal information can lead to unfortunate consequences. This week’s theme is cybersecurity and scams. Learn about precautions you can take to keep yourself and your family safe while online, and learn to recognize what scams are prevalent today.
Financial Education Books
Printable Activity Sheets
Book Read-Along
Wings Financial Education and Youth Programs Manager Trysh Olson reads Chicken Clicking, by Jeanne Willis.
It is week three of National Financial Literacy Month! This week’s topic is future planning. According to Bankrate.com, a majority of Americans top financial regret is not saving enough for now or for the future. That includes not starting their retirement savings early enough, underfunding their emergency fund, or not saving enough for their children’s education.
Future planning is like a roadmap, it helps people reach their desired destination. It allows people to identify what is important to them, helps reduce stress, assists in creating balance in their lives and to achieve their goals. It is never too early to begin your future planning.
Financial Education Books
Printable Activity Sheets
Wings Foundation Education Specialist Jodi Slais reads Curious George Saves his Pennies by Monica Perez, created by Margret & H.A. Rey. Illustrated by Mary O'Keefe Young.
This week’s topic is Good Money Habits. Building good money habits can increase your wealth and help set you up for financial success. When you model this behavior for others, they will likely adopt these habits as well. Good money habits will help you learn how to budget, save money, and work towards your financial goals. Having bad money habits, such as not budgeting your money and over-spending, can leave you vulnerable for unexpected emergencies and can leave you living paycheck to paycheck; not to mention unprepared for retirement.
Breaking bad habits does not happen overnight, but you can improve your situation by taking small steps to making better money choices. Before you know it, you will be making strides towards good money habits.
Printable Activity Sheets
Book Read-Along
Follow along as Wings Foundation Education Specialist Jodi Slais reads Rock, Brock and the Savings Shock by Sheila Bair.
The Wings Financial Foundation believes in the need to build strong communities for people to thrive. Even in a prosperous country like the United States, too many people struggle to move forward and live their best lives. The Wings Financial Foundation focuses on the cooperative spirit of people helping people. We focus on three areas to build stronger communities: Financial Education, Nutritional Needs, and Community.
This week we will focus on pillar 1: Financial Education. One of the ways the Wings Financial Foundation builds stronger communities is through improving the financial literacy of people of all ages. People with the knowledge and ability to make sound financial decisions and make the most of the money they have, are more likely to thrive.
Book Read-Along
Follow along as Wings Financial Education and Youth Programs Manager Trysh Olson reads the Berenstain Bears Visit the Credit Union, by Mike Berenstain.