Financial Literacy Month: first graders learn about saving and spending

April is Youth Financial Literacy Month, and North Dakota State University Extension is celebrating! In cooperation with local banks and credit unions, Extension is in the classroom offering first grade students a valuable lesson on earning, spending and saving.

NDSU Extension Agent Donna Anderson was in first grade classrooms in New Rockford on Thursday, April 4. After a lesson from Anderson, the students set savings goals, ranging from $40 for a skateboard to $166 for a Nintendo Switch. One student decided to save $50 to give to his mother.

The goal of the program is for students to learn positive money behaviors at an early age. As part of the lesson, each student was provided with a piggy bank that is theirs to keep. They decorated the bank for a "Piggy Bank Pageant" contest at local financial institutions. 

The piggy banks from Mrs. Skogen's class are displayed at Bank Forward, and the banks from Mrs. Koepplin's class are displayed at the New Rockford Credit Union. The banks will be displayed through the Month of April. As part of the lesson that was presented at school, the students set a savings goal that is displayed along with the student's entry. Customers can "vote" on the piggy bank they like best by placing a penny in the slot of their favorite piggy bank. All students will be keep their "votes" at the close of the contest on Monday, April 30.

The first place winner at each financial institution will be awarded $15, second place $7, and third place will receive $3.