South Carolina FCU Helps Kids "Want it, Save it, Get it!"

NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. – South Carolina Federal Credit Union has helped children learn positive spending habits in a fun way. This year's National Youth Credit Union Week theme is "Want it. Save it. Get it!," which refers to kids finding something they want, saving for it and realizing their goal when they are able to buy it. Devoted to children ages 12 and under, the week included activities such as "Picture It and You Can Win", which gives children a chance to draw pictures of what they want and enter a drawing to win $50. In addition, children received coloring books about smart money habits and crayons. Children also learned the ins and outs of an automated counting machine by participating in the "Kids Coin Count". An educational pamphlet The 411 was also available in all 18 SC Federal CU branches to help both children and adults learn more about the importance of good spending habits and proper money management. "It's becoming clear that reading, writing, and arithmetic are not the only subjects needed to give students the tools to succeed in life. High school seniors are graduating without knowing many of the basics of managing their finances," said SC Federal CU President/CEO Scott Woods. "Early financial education has proven effective, and we're committed to doing our part to help." On the legislative side representatives of at least 10 South Carolina credit unions were on hand April 12 at the State House to celebrate Governor Mark Sanford's proclamation of April as Financial Literacy Month, the Joint House Resolution declaring April 11-15 as Financial Literacy Week and recognizing the newly formed South Carolina Jump$tart Coalition (www.jumpstart.org). The resolution makes the month of April the state's official Financial Literacy month. The H3020 bill, also known as the Financial Literacy Act of 2005, is an amendment to institute a mandatory financial literacy curriculum in South Carolina public schools.