1. Road to Financial Maturity Banking & Consumer Smarts

2. This section is designed to have you take a more detailed look at what influences you spending and the proper utilization of banking services. How can you be more consumer savvy?

3. Consumer Smarts How does media influence purchasing? Many factors can influence a person's spending, however one of the most powerful is media. Billions of dollars are spent annually on the advertisement of goods and services and enticing customers. Brand name items vs. generic items Many times youth are not interested in generic items because they are not recognized in media. Essentially, name brand items are only more expensive because of their marketing costs. What are some price differences and cost saving ideas? Print, radio and commercial sales techniques Marketing is a very profitable industry. What is appealing in some ads and what it is about the ad that makes you want to spend money? Understand that these techniques alone can change spending behavior.

4. Consumer Smarts How does media make wants seem like needs? The goal of some ads is to make youth think the product is "cool" and to create a sense of purchase-pressure. What influence do friends have on spending? Go comparison shopping A big part of growing up is realizing that we cannot have all of our wants and learning how to compromise. Compare prices in different flyers, clip cou­pons and teach youth about bargaining for prices and services. Comparison shopping is a great a budgeting technique, and will also provide you with ways to accommodate wants with savings.

5. Banking Basics What can banks do for you? What banks and credit unions do? Similarities and differences between banks and credit unions Services offered at both banks and credit unions: accounts, loans and money transfers. The differences between the two: membership, for-profit v. nonprofit and taxes vs. no taxes. Safety of financial institutions Money, is safe and available. Money kept in banks and credit unions is insured up to $100,000 by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) and the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA).

6. Banking Basics Why are checking accounts important? There are various payment options that come from having a checking account: check, debit card and money order. Despite checks being used less in today‘s economy, it is important for you to know the proper way to write a check, as there are still circumstances when payment by check is required. How to open a checking account Steps of opening a checking account: going to the bank and talking with a representative, filling out an application, giving proper 10, signing a Signature Verification Card and depositing an opening balance. Most formal financial institutions have youth accounts with added safety and leniency.

7. Banking Basics Practice writing a proper check Examine the different parts of a check and what is written in each section: date, payee, amount (in numerals and words), signature, memo, routing number, account number and check number. Remember that it is important to write legibly! Payment options There are pros and cons of each payment method: cash, check, bank card, credit card and money orders. Pros and cons should include: safety, tracking ability, credit and transaction costs.