Money Mammals®
This comprehensive financial literacy initiative for kindergarten to 3rd graders uses games, songs, and videos to teach the basics of money management.
Overview
Money Mammals® Saving Money Is Fun Kids Club™ makes learning about money fun and rewarding, while helping make it easier for their parents to teach their children money lessons. The GLCU Foundation believes it's never too early to start learning money basics and offers financial literacy programs to young people.
Target Age: 5-11-year-olds
How It Works
The teaching guide and content are supplied by Money Mammals® and facilitated by Great Lakes Credit Union and the GLCU Foundation team members. The goals of bringing this program to schools, camps, and other opportunities include:
Reaching children at a young age to start thinking about the value of money
Helping families start conversations surrounding saving money
Building a foundation for children and families to discuss financial topics
Bringing an understanding of saving, spending, and sharing money to children 5-8
Content Modules
Each lesson includes a section of the Saving Money is Fun Video (must sign in to view), discussion, questions, and an activity. The content series can be presented as a whole, or partners can choose topics based on time. Each lesson is estimated to take 12-20 minutes based on the session. The content modules include:
Allowance, Earning, and Spending Money
Needs and Wants
Making Decisions
Setting Goals
Spend Smart Too
Saving Money Is Fun!
Sharing
Join us in building a financially secure future for young people in our communities.
For more information on our workshops, or to discuss creating a custom workshop, contact glcufoundation@glcu.org.
Adolescent$™ Account
Aimed at kids in 4th to 8th grade, this savings account gives teens an easy way to save, plus educational materials designed to promote a positive financial future.
Overview
The GLCU for Financial Empowerment offers a variety of financial education sessions for children in 5th-8th grade and makes learning about money fun and rewarding, while helping parents navigate the best ways to teach their children lessons on money issues.
Target Age: 5th-8th grade
Activation
The teaching guides and content are supplied by Adolescent$ from SniggleZoo and Visa Practical Money Smarts and facilitated by Great Lakes Credit Union and GLCU Foundation team members. The goals of bringing this program to schools, camps, and other opportunities include:
Teaching youth about the value of money prior to them obtaining their first job.
Helping families start conversations about saving money.
Building a foundation for youth and families to discuss financial topics.
Bringing an understanding of saving and spending money to youth.
Adolescent$ Lessons
Each Adolescent$ lesson includes a video from the Money Habits videos, discussion questions, and an activity. The content series can be presented as a whole, or partners can choose topics based on time. Each lesson is estimated to take 60 minutes and includes the following smart money habits:
Visa Practical Money Lessons
Each Visa Practical Money lesson includes a PowerPoint presentation, discussion, activity, and quiz for comprehension. The content can be presented as a series or à la carte to reach an individual partner's needs. Each lesson is estimated to be 60 minutes, and includes the following topics:
Making Decisions
Making Money
The Art of Budgeting
Living on Your Own
Buying a Home
Banking Services
Credit
Credit Cards
Cars and Loans
The Influence of Advertising
Consumer Awareness
Saving and Investing
In Trouble
Consumer Privacy
Join us in building a financially secure future for young people in our communities.
For more information on hosting a simulation, contact us at glcufoundation@glcu.org.
Bite of Reality
Hands-on financial literacy simulation prepares young people for the realities of budgeting and navigating financial challenges in the adult world.
Overview
The GLCU Foundation believes it’s never too early to start learning money basics and offers financial literacy programs to young people from ages 15-18. Bite of Reality is a simulation for high school students that gives them a taste of real-world financial realities. This 60–90-minute program uses modern technology (a web-based app) along with guidance from GLCU and GLCU Foundation facilitators to teach students how to budget.
Target Age: 15–18
Can be successfully delivered to slightly younger or older participants.
Activation
Teens are given a fictional occupation, salary, credit score, family, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. They visit various table-top stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other needs with the assistance of GLCU and GLCU Foundation staff.
Students encounter pushy “car salespersons,” commission-based “realtors,” and weigh their wants versus their needs. There’s even a “Fickle Finger of Fate” that gives the students unexpected “expenses” or “windfalls” — just like in real life.
Bite of Reality teaches teens how to make financial decisions and gives them a better understanding of the challenges of living on a budget, including:
Practicing budgeting as an adult with realistic circumstances.
Identifying and experiencing the consequences of poor decisions.
Developing good judgment regarding spending and living within a budget.
Understanding that budgeting is a necessary step in good money management and that it doesn’t have to be difficult.
How the Bite of Reality Program Works:
Free to participating high schools and community partners
GLCU provides the app, facilitator, and volunteers, plus all the supplies needed for the event
School or partner provides student supervision
Join us in building a financially secure future for young people in our communities.
For more information on hosting a simulation, contact us at glcufoundation@glcu.org.
Resources
For 9-12 Grade-High School
Money Habits Videos
Everfi (Pathways and Courses)
Members can take the whole course or individual lessons below