Credit Union Youth Month: An All-Ages Guide to Raising Money-Smart Kids

April 4, 2025 | By Ryan Lucas
A young Sparky's Kids Club member celebrating Credit Union Youth Month (April) by tossing out dollar dollar bills!

Money habits start earlier than you think. As parents and guardians, teaching kids about money might feel overwhelming—but the truth is, financial literacy can (and should!) start young, Whether you’re showing a preschooler how to save coins in a jar or helping your teenager manage their first checking account, age-appropriate money lessons lay the foundation for financial confidence later in life. April has traditionally been Credit Union Youth Month, and it’s the perfect time to start your child’s money journey.

At Firefighters Community Credit Union (FFCCU), we believe that building strong financial skills early creates a lifetime of good money habits—and we’re here to help you every step of the way.

Credit Union Youth Month and the Value of Financial Literacy

Kids form money habits as early as age 7, according to a University of Cambridge study. That means the earlier they’re introduced to money lessons for kids—like saving, budgeting, and earning—the better equipped they’ll be to handle real-world financial decisions.

Financial education for kids:

  • Encourages responsibility and independence
  • Helps avoid debt in adulthood
  • Builds long-term confidence with money
  • Sparks open, healthy conversations about finances
  • Fosters critical thinking and good citizenship

Age-Appropriate Money Lessons at Every Stage

Ages 3–6: Early Lessons in Kids and Money

Young children may not understand dollars and cents yet, but they can learn that money is used to buy things and that saving takes time.

Simple money lessons for kids:

  • Use a clear jar to show savings grow over time
  • Play “store” to practice spending and change. Show your children things like cash, debit cards, payment apps, and all the ways we exchange money in the modern day
  • Talk about needs vs. wants while shopping

Ages 7–12: Saving, Budgeting, and Earning

Elementary-age kids are ready to explore real-world concepts like earning and budgeting. It’s the perfect starting point to celebrate Credit Union Youth Month. This is also a great time to introduce allowance systems and youth savings accounts.

Money-smart habits to build:

Ages 13–17: Teen Financial Independence

Credit Union Youth Month isn’t just about the basics – it includes the more advanced lessons that young adults need to be learning. Teenagers are ready for bigger responsibilities with money, and might even be ready to start building their credit! Now’s the time to introduce checking accounts, debit cards, and even mobile budgeting tools.

Teen money lessons:

Why Credit Unions Help Raise Money-Smart Kids

Credit unions like FFCCU aren’t just financial institutions—we’re community-driven partners in your family’s financial wellness journey. Our mission aligns with the values you want to teach your kids: responsibility, cooperation, and long-term thinking.

Benefits of using a credit union:

  • Lower fees and better interest rates
  • Personalized service and support
  • Ethical, people-first approach
  • Educational tools for kids and teens

Whether you’re opening a youth savings account or helping your teen with their first student checking account, FFCCU offers tools to build good habits that stick. Our youth accounts are also supported with regular, age-appropriate newsletters to keep financial literacy topics regularly in mind.

Bring Home Credit Union Youth Month: Open an Account Today

Visit your nearest FFCCU branch or open an account online to explore our youth and teen account options. If you consider a 529 Plan, FFCCU offers your children financial support from before birth, all the way up to age 18! Teaching kids about money is one of the best investments you’ll ever make.

Let’s raise a generation of financially empowered kids—together.

Posted In: Ignite, Sparky's Kids Club