Money Smart Month

40% of Americans

could not come up with $400 to cover an emergency expense, or would do so by borrowing money or selling something, according to the Federal Reserve Board.

50% of Americans

have no money saved for retirement, according to the Government Accountability Office (GAO).

 Over 35 Free Classes

Financial Empowerment Coalition Partners come together each April to offer over 35 Free financial education classes each year.

Money Smart Month – Help us Celebrate Our 12th Anniversary!

April is National Financial Literacy Month. In the St. Louis region we celebrate this as Money Smart Month. Since 2012 coalition partners and volunteers have worked collaboratively to conduct more than 35 free classes, seminars and events each April, promoting financial education topics such as: budgeting and saving, building credit, getting out of debt, home buying, planning for retirement, estate planning, insurance, paying for college, raising “money smart” kids and small business development.  Click on the green calendar icon or this link to see all of the free classes and events. There is something for everyone!

The Money Smart Month planning committee also hosts an annual Money Smart Kids Essay Contest for youth in grades 6-8th. The top three winners receive a scholarship for a Missouri Most 529 College Savings Account. The annual Money Smart Kid Essay Contest is a creative opportunity for students to increase their financial awareness and develop and apply their money management skills. All sixth- through eighth-grade students in the St. Louis metropolitan area are encouraged to submit an essay of 500 words or less answering the annual contest question.

The Money Smart Kids Essay Contest is Live!

Click on the link below to learn more about the Money Smart Kids essay contest and see this year’s contest winners!