Money Smart Wisconsin
Purpose and Mission
Money Smart Wisconsin is a financial literacy awareness and education campaign. It is the highlight of April being national financial literacy awareness month, a collaborative effort by state and federal agencies and private-sector groups working to raise awareness about the importance of financial literacy. In Wisconsin, the Governor’s Council on Financial Literacy and Capability, in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Financial Institutions (DFI), is spearheading the Money Smart Wisconsin campaign along with many volunteers and organizations throughout the state. The Money Smart Wisconsin campaign promotes financial literacy and awareness through financial education classes, activities, and opportunities for Wisconsinites by bringing together different organizations to help them share their expertise, leverage limited resources, and expand community participation in financial education efforts. The Fox Cities region includes partners from area businesses and organizations that collaborate to offer financial wellness programming, events and activities for people of all ages and income levels.
CHANGE YOUR FINANCIAL HABITS DURING MONEY SMART WEEK!
April 5
9:00 – 10:00 am,
Timber Rattler Stadium, 2400 N Casaloma Dr, Appleton
Children’s Big Read with Fang
Follow along with Fang as we read “Deena’s Lucky Penny” where we discover the main character, Deena finds a lucky penny in the grass and uses it to start saving for her mother’s birthday present. Following the book reading, children will break into small groups to play a coin counting game, draw a savings goal and even decorate their very own piggy bank! Don’t forget to stick around and get a picture with Fang! A free book will be given to the first 25 families and each child will be given a piggy bank to decorate. Suggested Age: 4-8
April 7
10:30 – 11:30 am
Seymour Library, 436 N Main, Seymour
Children’s Big Read
Join us for story time! We’ll read a children’s book, talk about saving money and decorate a piggy bank. The first 25 families will receive a free book and each child will be given a piggy bank to decorate.
April 8
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Fox Valley Technical College, 1825 N Bluemound Dr, Appleton
Planning for College Simulation
Whether you’re already enrolled in college, or are starting to plan your educational journey, make a plan to join us! Head to Fox Valley Technical College for “Money Smart Week”. There, you could learn more about what the college experience could be like for you on a daily basis through an interactive simulation. As you navigate this simulation, you’ll get answers to questions about student aid and personal financial decisions. Plus, enjoy a bit to eat and beverages. Hosted by Certified Financial Counselors from Goodwill Financial Wellness Services, Fox Valley Technical College Financial Wellness Coaches and their financial team.
April 9
10:00 am
Appleton Public Library, 200 N Appleton St, Appleton
Children’s Big Read
Join us for story time! We’ll read a children’s book, talk about saving money and decorate a piggy bank. The first 25 families will receive a free book and each child will be given a piggy bank to decorate.
10:00 – 11:30 am
Valley New School
Bite of Reality
Bite of Reality is a ‘Real World Simulation’ that guides the students of Valley New School through a day in the life of an adult. The students make personal financial decisions in every area of life. Each student is given a persona that includes an occupation, income, family description, credit score, possible debt, and student loan. Students from booth to booth hosted by community volunteers where they make decisions about housing, transportation, groceries and dining, childcare, etc.
This event is not open to the public.
4:30 – 6:00 pm
Fox Valley Technical College, 150 N Campbell Rd, Oshkosh
Planning for College Simulation
Whether you’re already enrolled in college, or are starting to plan your educational journey, make a plan to join us! Head to Fox Valley Technical College for “Money Smart Week”. There, you could learn more about what the college experience could be like for you on a daily basis through an interactive simulation. As you navigate this simulation, you’ll get answers to questions about student aid and personal financial decisions. Hosted by Certified Financial Counselors from Goodwill Financial Wellness Services, Fox Valley Technical College Financial Wellness Coaches and their financial team.
April 11
10:00 am
Appleton Public Library, 200 N Appleton St, Appleton
Children’s Big Read
Join us for story time! We’ll read a children’s book, talk about saving money and decorate a piggy bank. The first 25 families will receive a free book and each child will be given a piggy bank to decorate.
3:30 pm
Oshkosh Public Library, 106 Washington Ave, Oshkosh
Children’s Big Read
Join us for story time! We’ll read a children’s book, talk about saving money and decorate a piggy bank. The first 25 families will receive a free book and each child will be given a piggy bank to decorate.
April 12
9:00 am – 4:00 pm
Building for Kids, 100 College Ave, Appleton
FREE ADMISSION DAY with Make Money Count
Throughout the day, the museum will have activities that help kids and their grown-ups learn about earning, spending, sharing, and saving money. Families will be encouraged to choose a job to earn money, will have to track their expenses, brainstorm how they would like to share their money, and finally save their money at the museum’s Littlest Branch Fox Communities Credit Union. When families complete the Make Money Count activities, they will have the opportunity to choose from prizes! Join us for story time at 10 am and 2 pm. We’ll read a children’s book, talk about saving money.
Thank you to our partners!
- Badger Globe Credit Union
- Catholic Charities of the Diocese of Green Bay
- Fox Communities Credit Union
- Goodwill North Central Wisconsin
- Greater Fox Cities Chapter of Credit Unions
- Prospera Credit Union
- Winnebago Community Credit Union
STAFF
If you have questions or want more information please contact:
Katie Gellings | Human Development and Relationship Educator
Extension Outagamie County
3365 W Brewster St | Appleton WI 54914
Phone: 920-832-5126 | Wisconsin Relay: 711
Email: Katie.Gellings@wisc.edu
