Author: Mary S Averbeck
Planning Unit: Kenton County CES
Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum
Plan of Work: Securing Financial Stability, Estate Planning, Real Skills for Everyday Life
Outcome: Long-Term Outcome
Most young people have little confidence in their money management skills according to an Equifax study. In fact, 74% of 12-22 year-old youth want their schools to teach money management. As few as 10 hours of instruction can be enough to improve youths’ spending and saving habits according to the National Endowment for Financial Education. Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy. Extension advisory groups have identified financial life skills as essential for youth, but lacking for many young people. Parents and teachers request classes on this topic. The Kenton County Cooperative Extension Service 4-H Youth Development program in conjunction with community partners offered three different programs to help youth learn good fiscal habits. Nearly 500 youth participated in 4-H hands-on lessons in Spend, Save or Share, 4-H Money Sen$e, or Consumer Savvy. In Spend Save or Share youth learn an economic decision making process. Each participant put their knowledge to practice following the decision making steps to purchase a consumer product. Each youth wrote a narrative and then created a poster explaining their project. One hundred nineteen posters were entered into the county fair. Evaluation takes the form of written narratives. Youth express how much they have learned about spending money wisely by making informed decisions. One youth said “I learned to make the best decision based on facts, not just personal appeal.” Another said “This 4-H project taught me how to be a smart shopper.” Teachers testify to the impact of 4-H consumer programs. “This curriculum helps prepare students for standardized testing.” “I really feel like the 4-H program is what made my students proficient in economics.” “The hands-on real life experiences were great for the kids, and always kept the students engaged and interested.” These youth have learned how to wisely handle their financial resources and make informed consumer decisions now and for the future.
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