Saturday, May 24, 2003
Most of the kids said they are saving money.
By JOHN W. GOODWIN JR.
VINDICATOR STAFF WRITER
BOARDMAN -- Several fifth-grade pupils at Boardman Middle School here got an early lesson in money management.
The presentation was part of a program Wednesday sponsored by CitiFinancial stressing the importance of earning and proper budgeting to kids at a relatively early age.
Jennifer R. Santee, branch manager of CitiFinancial in Boardman, demonstrated budgeting to the 10- and 11-year-old pupils using budget forms designed for the young at heart and light of wallet.
The income side of the budget form includes allowance, gifts and earnings while the expense side of the budget includes snacks, music, entertainment and -- of course -- savings.
"We are trying to teach students the importance of saving for the future when they may want to buy a house or whatever else they may want to buy," she said.
"As fifth-graders, these kids are probably not thinking about saving money, but I am hoping they will at least begin to stop and think about it."
Not a new concept
The concept of saving money proved not to be totally foreign to the youngsters. Santee asked how many of the 22 pupils in the class had a savings account and all but one hand went in the air.
When asked, however, how many of the pupils had taken the initiative to start the account with their own allowance without parental coaxing, Santee heard nothing but groans from her young audience.
Santee said she hopes the kids put the small budget sheets to use. With the wish list shouted out by the pupils, they may have to.
Santee asked for a list of things the children might want in the future and got responses of everything from a paint-ball gun and trampoline to mansions, sports cars and $1 million.
jgoodwin@vindy.com