MADISON, Wis.—Money Smart Week has begun across Wisconsin, with hundreds of events scheduled that focus on improving personal financial awareness.
“Money Smart Week Wisconsin is the highlight of April being national financial literacy awareness month, a joint effort by state and federal government agencies and private-sector organizations to raise awareness of the importance and value of financial literacy,” said the state’s Department of Financial Institutions. “The Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy, in partnership with the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, is spearheading Money Smart Week Wisconsin. Dozens of communities have scheduled free events to teach consumers of all ages about personal finance during the week. Many of the events will be geared toward elementary school-age children. A listing of scheduled events may be found at www.moneysmartweek.org (click on the “Events” box, then click on Wisconsin “WI” on the map).
Initiatives being planned during April include:
- “The Big Read,” a statewide event for children in Grades PreK-4 during Money Smart Week. At dozens of locations across the state, adults will read “Alexander, Who Used to be Rich Last Sunday” by Judith Viorst. More than 4,700 complimentary copies of the book will be distributed. The book giveaway is being funded by the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions and the Office of Financial Literacy; Edvest Wisconsin College Savings Plan; and local sponsors.
- Wisconsin Teach Children to Save Day on April 14, sponsored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association.
- National Credit Union Youth Month sponsored by CUNA and the Wisconsin Credit Union League.
- National Credit Education Month sponsored by CBM Credit Education Foundation Inc.