With April being financial literacy month it’s a great time to put the weight of our collective attention on the need for children to be taught sound financial concepts. Just like the dental industry promotes teaching kids to brush and floss regularly, the financial industry should promote smart money skills among our youngest people.
Recently the Financial Literacy and Education Commission (FLEC)’s issued guidance meant to encourage financial institutions to create and promote Youth Savings Programs. Read more in our post, “Guidance on Youth Savings Programs.”
Coming from a busy community bank myself, I know it can be hard to find the time to focus on our huge task list, much less the needed attention to financial education efforts.
Here are six really small, easy and free ideas to get you started.
1. Ask each of your coworkers to post something educational on at least one of their social media channels and use #TCTS2015 (Teach Children to Save Day #TCTS2015).
2. So your team needs more a little more help with social media? Try giving them suggested posts. See our free samples section for some ideas.
3. Stop by ABA.com to check out the wide array of free tools and resources to help you plan for next year’s Teach Children to Save Day.
4. Share the link to Kids section moneysmartweek.org for tons of free information and resources.
5. Invite your coworkers to bring their kids to the bank on a Saturday for a free financial education lesson and tour.
6. Share money facts on your social media at least once a week. AmericaSavesWeek.org has lots of good ideas in their digital and social media kit.
No matter how little energy and effort you can put into financial literacy efforts, the reward is always tremendous. So make a commitment to do something about the poor state of financial knowledge. It’s time to get started!
