A penny saved is a penny earned, has that old adage been forgotten? With Americans spending more and saving less, young people often do not learn the importance of saving. To help reverse this trend, The Stephenson National Bank & Trust (SNB&T), is gearing up to go back into the classroom as part of the 12^th annual National Teach Children to Save Day on April 29.

“Unfortunately, many children are learning how to spend their money, before they are taught how to save it,” said Diane Gromoske, SNB&T personal banker and Teach Children to Save Day Coordinator. “The sooner children learn about saving, spending and budgeting, the sooner they can develop good financial habits.”

On April 29, bankers will focus on the importance of managing money by teaching lessons that incorporate games and activities about the concept of saving, how to create a budget and how to identify needs versus wants. 

Volunteers at SNB&T have found a unique way to start this discussion by using a program called Reading Raises Interest. Age appropriate books are read to children as a fun way to grab attention and ignite their participation.

“Throughout the years as we use the Reading Raises Interest program, I’ve noticed that opening the discussion about money is not complicated with children,” said Gromoske. “Reading a book is the perfect way to get down to the child’s level to help explain these concepts. Plus, they get involved in our discussions by sharing their own experiences.”

SNB&T is among 22 banks nationwide that have been involved in this program since it began in 1997. During that time they have made over 200 presentations in classrooms for grades K-8 at public and parochial classrooms in Marinette, Menominee and Oconto.

The 12^th annual National Teach Children to Save Day is an initiative sponsored by the Wisconsin Bankers Association. The Teach Children to Save Day program has connected more than 45,000 bankers across the country with 2.3 million students since it was founded in 1997 by the ABA Education Foundation.

The ABA Education Foundation is a non-profit subsidiary of American Bankers Association and is committed to developing and providing educational programs that lead to financial literacy.  For nearly 80 years, the foundation has supported the banking industry’s efforts to teach personal finance skills in schools and communities across the country.

The Stephenson National Bank & Trust is a 133-year old independent community bank with assets of $236 million and Trust assets exceeding $196 million.  Offices are located in Marinette and Oconto, Wis. and Menominee, Mich. For more information about The Stephenson National Bank & Trust visit www.snbt.com.