Tuesday, March 19, 2024

GBT visits Bossier City area schools to talk financial literacy

by BIZ. Staff

GBT Staff visited Schools across four parishes in north Louisiana last week to teach financial literacy in the classroom for National Teach Children to Save Day.

Schools visited Friday, April 12 included: Central, Jones, Richardson, Doyline, Webster Homeschool Co-Op, Glenbrook, Lagniappe Montessori, Crawford Elementary, Gibsland Coleman, Claiborne Academy, Homer Elementary, WT Lewis and Meadowview.

Students were given lessons on the importance of saving their hard-earned money, giving and how to spend wisely.

The best financial lessons for kids are part of everyday experience,” said Jennifer Spurlock, marketing coordinator for Gibsland Bank & Trust.

She advised parents to look for opportunities to talk about money, read books aloud and play games that center around spending money wisely.

“Be open and honest when you discuss your financial experiences – good or bad,” she said via an email release. “How soon is too soon to talk to your kids or grandkids about money? If they are old enough to ask for a toy or a bike, they are old enough to start learning financial lessons that will last a lifetime.”

GBT provided some examples of teachable moments to help parents get started:

  • At the bank — When you go to the bank, bring your children with you and show them how transactions work. Ask the manager to explain how the bank operates, how money generates interest and how an ATM works. Ask the manager for a tour—be sure to ask to see the vault.
  • On payday — Discuss how your pay is budgeted to pay for housing, food and clothing, and how a portion is saved for future expenses such as college tuition and retirement.
  • At the store — It’s easy to give clear examples of “needs” and “wants” using different items at a store. Fruits and veggies are a need; Candy, toys or expensive cereals are a want. Explain the benefits of comparison shopping, coupons and store brands. You can hold up two items and compare pricing and make a decision together on which you should choose.
  • Chores and allowances — Assign chores and give them a monetary value. Discuss ways to budget and divide allowances. Encourage children to set a financial goal, such as saving for a new toy, and figure out how to achieve it.
  • Paying bills — Explain the many ways that bills can be paid: over the phone, paper or by check, electronic check or online check draft. Discuss how each method of bill pay takes money out of your account. Be sure to cover late penalties, emphasizing the importance of paying bills on time.
  • Using credit cards — Explain that credit cards are a loan and need to be repaid. Share how a credit card statement comes in the mail with a bill. Go over the features of different types of cards, such as ATM, debit and credit cards.
  • Online — While online, explain to your children how valuable their personal information and privacy is to you, to them and to online predators. Discuss the risks and benefits of sharing certain information. Then, as a family, make a list of rules for keeping personal information safe online.
  • Planning a vacation — Whether you are planning an outing to a local amusement park or a once-in-a-lifetime trip, emphasize the value of saving as a family. Set a family savings goal that involves your children. Figure out the cost and discuss ways everyone can help to reach the goal.

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