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  • 06/02/2016 12:16 PM | Anonymous member

    2016 was another successful year for the Jump$tart Reading Days program.Spokane City Councilman Ben Stuckart In total we had 20 volunteers, made up of three Mayors, 16 City Council Members and one City Manager. We were able to get 14 of the volunteers scheduled to read around the state. We had volunteers from 11 different cities around Washington.  A few of the participating schools combined entire grades together so more students could attend the readings. One of our volunteers read to 140 students in his one visit! Another volunteer had scheduled two readings because he had enjoyed last year’s Reading Day so much.  Several of our volunteers were repeat volunteers from last year and were so excited to have been given the opportunity to go into their communities again for this program.

                As voted on by the Jump$tart Board, the chosen book for this year was “Lilly Learns about Wants and Needs.” In the story, Lilly is telling her parents about all the things she needs, not realizing those things are actually wants, such as a better bike, ice cream, and an expensive raincoat. While learning the difference between the two concepts, she also learns that even though she may need something, sometimes the lower priced option works just as well as the most expensive option. The book came with a guided activity that most teachers took advantage of in their classrooms. The activity prompted the students to make a chart on a piece of paper, labeling ¾ of the paper “Needs” and ¼ “Wants.” Students would then draw pictures of things they needed and wanted in the correct sections of their chart. The activity was a good visual reference for the students to see that needs take up a majority of one’s budget leaving them to choose their wants carefully. The book was well accepted by most classes, but there was some feedback that is was too young for the 4th and 5th grade classes.  

                When looking for participants for this year’s program, we started with
    Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent past participants. Volunteer readers from last year were sent a separate email thanking them for their time last year and inviting them back this year. Half of our readers this year were repeat volunteers from last year.  Last year’s participating teachers were also contacted as soon as someone in their area volunteered to read. Teachers were also excited to have the opportunity once again. Several teachers were already teaching a financial unit in their classes or found a way to integrate the story into their current lessons so the story was aligned with class lessons. Over 300 students were reached!

     Below is a list of this year’s participants:

    • Ellensburg City Councilwoman Nancy Lillquist- Mt. Stuart Elementary School, Trina Lanegan’s 3rd grade class
    • Bremerton Mayor Patty Lent-West Hills STEM Academy, Mary Anne Craig and Racheal Chamberlain’s 3rd grade classes
    • Bothell City Councilman James McNeal-Moorlands Elementary School, Cindy Kaufman’s 2nd grade class
    • Vancouver City Councilwoman Alishia Topper- Anderson Elementary School, Kristine Barnes’s 3rd grade class
    • Tacoma Mayor Marilyn Strickland- Franklin Elementary School, Kim Hunter’s 3rd  grade class and Missy Burkey’s 2nd grade class
    • Spokane City Council President Ben Stuckart- Roosevelt Elementary School, LaTonya Simmons and Justine Hudson’s 1st grade class
    • Vancouver City Councilman Bill Turlay- Walnut Grove Elementary School, Veena Girod’s 5th grade class and Jana Kandoll’s 4th grade class
    • Longview City Councilman Mike Wallin- Northlake Elementary School, Kristi Hannan’s 1st grade class
    • Kent City Councilman Jim Berrios- Kent Elementary School, Lynn Wells’s 3rd grade class 
    • Yakima City Councilwoman Carmen Mendez- Barge Lincoln Elementary School, Jorge Campos’s 2nd grade class
    • Puyallup City Councilman Dean Johnson-Meeker Elementary School, All 5th grade classes
    • Vancouver City Councilwoman Anne McEnerny-Ogle-Franklin Elementary School, Liz Coleman’s 5th grade class

    The challenges faced this year were similar to the challenges in last year’sprogram. But, where there were challenges, we also had a very successful program this year and got all positive feedback from the volunteers and the teachers. Many volunteers and teachers asked to be included in next year’s program as well. All of the volunteers were city officials who took a great interest in helping the kids in their cities. One very heartfelt story from a participating teacher in Vancouver:

     “Thank you for checking in about our Reading Day, it was a wonderful experience!...There was a little time at the end and she asked the students if they wanted to do an activity or "just talk".  They all wanted to "just talk".  Students were able to ask questions about her youth, her involvement in sports and how that lead to a scholarship.  She answered many questions about affordable housing and what is available to families in need.  One student shared with her that he had been homeless until the very night before she came.  Through our Family Resource Center the family is now in a house and he is excited to be sleeping in his own bunk bed.  These issues are close to our hearts and it was a joy for students (and me) to have the honor to meet someone who works so hard for our city.  Thank you for letting us be a part!”

    Everett City Councilwoman Cassie Franklin

  • 04/04/2016 2:00 PM | Anonymous member

    Today, Washington state’s leading credit union, BECU, and Seattle Sounders FC announced that BECU is now the official credit union partner of Seattle Sounders FC. BECU is using the partnership to elevate its focus on financial literacy. For every Sounders FC goalkeeper “save” on the field during a regular season home match, BECU will make a $250 donation to support employment and education programs at YouthCare. YouthCare is a Seattle-based non-profit that provides services for homeless and at-risk youth.

    “We can’t prevent the circumstances that happen to youth before they come to us, but the contributions from BECU can help those youth get on a better path,” said Melinda Giovengo at YouthCare. “Each $250 donation will enable us to provide more than 20 hours of employment training and education programs which includes financial literacy for the youth that we serve. This partnership will make a lasting difference in the lives of at-risk youth in our community.”

    BECU is the first credit union from the northwest to become a Seattle Sounders FC partner.

    As part of this collaborative and community-driven partnership, BECU members can also look forward to discounted match tickets, a real-time tracker of donations to YouthCare, and special product offerings from both organizations coming soon.


  • 01/29/2016 4:55 PM | Anonymous member

    TED BECK: Nearly seven in 10 (68%) of Americans say they are determined to improve their financial well-being in the New Year. It’s not without good reason. A survey conducted just last month by the National Endowment for Financial Education finds one in three U.S. adults say the current quality of their financial life is worse than they expect it to be.

    So how about setting realistic resolutions for a change?

    A great place to start is to better understand who you are financially and learn your money personality. The noncommercial LifeValues Quiz will help you identify what drives your financial behaviors and decision making. Have you ever wondered why you make certain spending choices or why your needs versus wants seem to be so much in conflict? Do you feel at times you live beyond your means or buy things you seemingly cannot afford?

    There are no wrong answers in taking the quiz, just a strong foundation to know where you are starting from. For couples, the LifeValues Quiz is a great tool to help understand each other better. We’ve all heard that opposites attract. By taking the quiz with your spouse or partner you may discover that their values are not always the same as yours. This creates an opportunity to connect and compare your goals through a meaningful discussion.

    Another helpful tool to help you accomplish the resolution is the Financial Identity Quiz. Remember The Game of Life, where you make choices along the journey from young adulthood to retirement? Financial decisions are a big part of life, no matter what path you take. By understanding the factors that influence what’s important to you, your decisions will help you better plan for the inevitable twists and turns in the road. (Again, the best part of these noncommercial quizzes is that there are no wrong answers—just accurate feedback for you and about you.)

    Tying your budget, goals and financial priorities to your personality assessment provides a much higher chance you will stick to your resolutions. Yet despite all of the basics, there are a few additional things that you should pay attention to.

    One is the fact that life happens. Two-thirds of Americans say that they experienced an unexpected financial setback in 2015, and current data suggests that the average person will suffer four income disruptions—of at least 10%—during their working years. We must understand there will be surprises that we are going to have to pay for along the way. We need to stop viewing significant expenses—like car repairs, housing issues or a health crisis—as unexpected.

    Prepare for these costs not as if they will happen, but rather as a matter of when they will happen. As a good rule of thumb, aim to save 10% of your income. If you feel you cannot afford that, even saving as little as $500 provides a psychological benefit. By starting small, you prove to yourself that you have the ability to achieve a realistic goal and then set the bar incrementally higher. The silver lining is if a significant expense doesn’t occur you’re that much further ahead.

    The new year is a time for optimism. Fundamentally, budgeting, reining in debt, saving and setting realistic goals will be our best prescription for 2016. Here’s to your financial health.

    Ted Beck is president and CEO of the National Endowment for Financial Education, a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Financial Capability for Young Americans and chairman of the Jump$tart Coalition.

    courtesy of the Wall Street Journal Blog: "The Experts"SERGEY TRYAPITSYN/ISTOCK


  • 01/04/2016 5:02 PM | Anonymous member

    While some personal finance educators struggle just to connect to the Internet, others are watching as technology awakens their students to new possibilities — and sometimes to the cold, hard facts of life — through games, apps, websites, simulators, calculators and other tech tools. “They sincerely appreciate the opportunity to make virtual mistakes and avoid some of the same things in the real world,” says Ronald Cross, a financial literacy teacher in Dallas. But good tools are best used by good teachers. As Michigan business teacher Brian Johnson says: “The use of humor, being enthusiastic about the topic, and the ability to communicate with young people is more powerful than the most expensive piece of technology.”

    NEFE recently surveyed High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP) educators to find out how they are (and aren’t) using tech tools in their classrooms. Join teachers and their students in tweeting #FinEdTech during the week of Nov. 9 – 13, and follow along on Twitter at NEFE_ORG.

     See more at at the NEFE or  Download the PDF

    Black and White vector image of students at computer desks

  • 12/29/2015 5:07 PM | Anonymous member

    The financial decisions young adults make during college might involve a few bucks or thousands of dollars. They're taking their first steps toward financial independence and it's not always easy to know what the best choices are. The goal is to help young people learn how to take control of their money instead of letting their money take control of them. 


    40 Money Management Tips Every College Student Should Know

    Click to download: 40 Money Management Tips
    Click to download: 40 Consejos Para Administrar El Dinero

    *This booklet is not available in a printed hard copy. Please print out your own copy from the PDF. Thank you!



  • 12/11/2015 5:13 PM | Anonymous member

    Have you ever wondered why you feel good about spending money on vacations, but avoid saving for retirement? Why you buy new golf clubs, but procrastinate when it comes to giving your kids an allowance? The answer may lie in your unique LifeValues and how they influence your financial decision making.

    Most of us don’t realize what’s behind the thousands of financial decisions we make every year. And, if we are in a relationship, we are even less certain about why our partners make the decisions they do. If you want to demystify your money behaviors, start here with the LifeValues quiz.

    Read about the four LifeValues before taking the quiz. Now you are ready to get started! Bear in mind that there is no “wrong” answer. You are simply identifying your preferences. Remember that your answers are intensely personal—resist the urge to choose an answer someone else might believe is right for you. Quickly choose only one answer.

    Start Quiz

  • 11/29/2015 5:18 PM | Anonymous member

    If you're finishing up high school, in college or just starting out in your career or independent life, this Financial Identity Quiz is one tool to help you identify where you are currently on your journey to financial independence. There is no roadmap to growing up. While you will have to make your own way into adulthood, one thing is certain: Financial decisions are a big part of life, no matter what path you take. Understanding the beliefs, values, and other factors that influence those decisions can help you better plan for the inevitable twists and turns in the road.

    There are no right or wrong answers. Go with your gut. At the end of the 12-question quiz you will learn your financial identity and receive information to keep moving forward.

    Are you ready to discover your financial identity?

    Start Quiz

  • 07/05/2014 11:24 AM | Anonymous

    Practical Money Skills will sponsor six educators to attend the Jump$tart Coalition National Educator Conference in Los Angeles, on November 8-10, 2014. The conference gives classroom teachers the opportunity to network with colleagues, attend informative workshops, learn about educational resources and meet leaders from finance and education. 

    The $1,000 sponsorship per educator includes:

    • $425 conference fee (includes hotel accommodations for two nights and all conference meals)
    • Travel expenses up to $575

    How to apply for sponsorship: To be considered for the sponsorship, please nominate either yourself or a colleague as the Practical Money Skills' Innovative Educator of the Month. Visit the Practical Money Skills website and complete the Nomination Form for Innovative Educators by September 15, 2014. Please complete all fields in the online form when submitting your application in order to be considered for this sponsorship opportunity. All 2014 Innovative Educator award recipients will be considered for selection. Sponsorship recipients will be notified via email on Wednesday, October 1st.


    Learn more about the conference.

  • 04/07/2014 11:08 AM | Anonymous

    Congratulations to Lake Stevens High School FCCLA students who won a 1st place FCCLA Financial Fitness award at the state-level competition held March 26-28 in Wenatchee. 

    Their project, STAFF (Students Teaching About Financial Fitness) received a perfect 100 point score, and involved teaching 1st and 3rd grade classes about the value of a dollar and consumer clout. 

    Lake Stevens FCCLA will receive recognition for their project at the Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) National Conference slated for San Antonio, Texas in July.

    FCCLA is a youth leadership organization offered through Family and Consumer Sciences Education in the United States, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and overseas.

    Specific areas of education and leadership within FCCLA include: financial literacy, parenting, nutrition and health, childhood obesity, bullying prevention family relationships and career preparation.

    Congratulations to the FCCLA students and their adviser, Kathy Hahn.

  • 03/31/2014 10:05 AM | Anonymous

    BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA A PROCLAMATION

    Thanks to the grit and determination of the American people, our Nation has cleared away the rubble of the worst recession since the Great Depression. As we continue to create jobs and grow our economy, families strive to rebuild their finances and shore up their futures. During National Financial Capability Month, we renew our drive to give all Americans the tools to navigate the financial world and gain the economic freedom to pursue their own measure of happiness.

    In today's economy, financial capability is essential for some of life's biggest transitions -- paying for college, buying a home, saving for retirement. A solid understanding of the marketplace makes it easier to avoid scams, spot misleading information, and decipher complex paperwork. For free resources on managing money and making the best decisions for you, visit www.MyMoney.gov and www.ConsumerFinance.gov, or call 1-888-MyMoney.

    My Administration is working alongside businesses, schools, and community leaders to empower Americans with financial information. We launched the "Know Before You Owe" campaign to make student loans more transparent and created myRA, an affordable savings bond that encourages Americans to begin building nest eggs and allows them to carry their account between jobs. And we continue to take action against companies that charge hidden fees or deceive consumers with barely understandable fine print.

    We must also ensure that Americans have the means to put their financial understanding to use. Thanks to the Affordable Care Act, millions can finally live secure in the knowledge that they are no longer an illness or injury away from bankruptcy. Yet for those who work full-time, make minimum wage, and still live in poverty, budgets do not stretch far enough to leave room for investments. This month, as we improve financial capability throughout our Nation, let us also advance the opportunity agenda -- new jobs in tomorrow's industries, more access to job training, a world-class education for every child, and an economy where hard work pays off for every American.

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim April 2014 as National Financial Capability Month. I call upon all Americans to observe this month with programs and activities to improve their understanding of financial principles and practices.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this thirty-first day of March, in the year of our Lord two thousand fourteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-eighth.

    BARACK OBAMA

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