Importance of saving

by SSG Vincent Abril

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea: Camp Humphreys American School first and second grade students learned the importance of saving money on a school trip Sept. 29, while touring the Camp Humphreys Navy Federal Credit Union branch.

Julie Abril, the NFCU manager waited by the door as the students filed in. The children’s excitement and curiosity were quickly noticed by the branch employees as they prepared for the tour.

After testing the children’s knowledge on the banking system, Abril talked to them about saving their money with the aid of Diana Pickard, the assistant branch manager. “We really want to stress the importance of saving money by explaining to the kids why people save money and how they can do just that at a credit union or bank.” said Abril. “I think the message of saving money and learning about why people use banks go hand and hand and we hope the children take this message home with them,” Abril said.

As the children looked on, the bank tellers gave a demonstration on how money counters work. To better teach the children about deposits, some of the students were able to deposit fake money and received an invoice for the transaction. One of the students deposited $1 million in fake money to the surprise of everyone in the credit union.

Shannon Webster, a multi-grade teacher who brought her class to the credit union, knows all too well why the message of saving money is important at this stage of her students’ life.

“We wanted students to be aware of how important it is for them to start saving at a young age,” Webster said. “The goal is to get the students involved in using money on an everyday basis with real world experiences.”

Before the students returned to their school, the Navy Federal Credit Union announced that the class whose parents’ open the most minor savings accounts will receive a cash donation from the credit union.

“We hope the kids enjoyed their visit and we hope to have many more visits from kids of all ages who can benefit from learning about banking and saving money,” Abril said.

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