Kishwaukee United Way, DeKalb Public Library, and local partners offer Smart Money Initiative DeKalb County. This initiative brings together businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies, and the media to share information and resources on personal finance topics.
Online resources are available throughout the year for all ages, with information sessions and youth activities scheduled throughout April (National Financial Literacy Month) each year.
Smart Money Initiative DeKalb County is shared online via:
Featured Item
Rockonomix
In teams of one to six, rewrite the lyrics to a popular song, so it is instead about an economic/personal finance concept or group of concepts. Students then record the song and make a music video using their new lyrics. Teachers can choose to submit the top videos from their classes. The deadline is April 15 each year. Be sure to submit videos by the deadline in order to be eligible for prizes!
Click here for more information.
Virtual Events
The following virtual events will be presented during April 2021. You must register for all virtual events through the library. Once registered you will receive a confirmation email containing the Zoom credentials.
- Money Matters (Heartland Bank) – Tuesday, April 6 at 2:00 p.m.
- The Financial Aid Process (ISAC) – Saturday, April 10 at 2:00 p.m.
- Estate Planning 101 (Walsh & Associates) – Monday, April 12 at 6:00 p.m.
- College is Possible (ISAC) – Monday, April 12 at 6:30 p.m.
- Smart Money Initiative Story Time, Kids Read (Gavin Wilson) – Tuesday, April 13 at 9:00 a.m.
- Social Security’s Best Kept Secrets (Walsh & Associates) – Tuesday, April 13 at 12:00 p.m.
- Insurance 101, How to Make Sure you’re Protected (Gavin Wilson) – Tuesday, April 13 at 6:30 p.m.
- Approaching Retirement on TRS and SURS (Walsh & Associates) – Wednesday, April 14 at 12:00 p.m.
- College is Possible (Spanish) (ISAC) – Wednesday, April 14 at 6:30 p.m.
- Social Security’s Best Kept Secrets (Walsh & Associates) – Thursday, April 15 at 6:00 p.m.
- Managing College Costs for Parents (ISAC) – Thursday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m.
- 7 Things to Do in the Decade Before You Retire (Walsh & Associates) – Friday, April 16 at 12:00 p.m.
- First-time Homebuyers (Tiffany Dallas) – Saturday, April 17 at 10:00 a.m.
- Preparing to Sell Real Estate (Tiffany Dallas) – Saturday, April 24 at 10:00 a.m.
- Simplify Your Spending and Saving Strategies (Edward Jones) – Wednesday, April 28 at 5:30 p.m.
Volunteer Opportunities
If you are interested in lending ideas or providing resources for the initiative, assisting with marketing the initiative, or providing a video information session for next April, contact us!
Online Resources for all Ages
Links to resources offering games, activities, information, organizations that provide community resources, programs, and curriculum/teaching materials are listed below and featured on the following Facebook (FB) pages:
Kishwaukee United Way FB and DeKalb Public Library FB
Teachers*
- NEW! Virtual Activities: A playground of decisions for your class!
- Atlanta Fed Resource for High School/Adult Audiences.
- Atlanta Fed Teaching Money Skills for Life Infographics.
- Building Wealth – an overview of wealth-building strategies.
- COUNTRY Financial Educator Resources – helpful resources about money for teachers to use.
- EconEdLink – classroom-tested, online economic & personal finance curriculum and activities.
- Econlowdown – interactive lesson plans, activities, and readings.
- FederalReserveSystem – resources to equip educators, educate students, and empower consumers.
- Financial Literacy for Success – a searchable toolkit to gain financial knowledge & skills to reach educational goals.
- Games in the Classroom – a variety of games for different grade levels.
- IL Banker’s Association – financial literacy programs for classrooms.
- IL Comptroller’s Office – request a presentation workshop on a variety of topics.
- IL State Treasurer’s Office – financial programs for classrooms.
- JumpStart Coalition resources – clearinghouse of educational resources for teachers, parents, caregivers, and anyone committed to student financial literacy.
- Money Math: Lessons for Life – a downloadable curriculum supplement for math classes, teaching grade 7-9 math concepts using real-life personal finance.
- MyMoney.gov – info & links to a collection of federal guides and curricula for teaching financial capability concepts.
- Navigate publications – an intro to investigating careers & college.
- Online Course Catalogue from the Fed.
- Practical Money Skills Teacher Center – extensive financial literacy content for educators & classrooms.
- Teacher Resource Center – federal government links to a variety of resources & curriculum guides.
- The Mint: Ideas for Teachers – designed to help you teach 6-12 graders how to manage money wisely.
*Teachers should consider resources in the Student section as well.
Students
- NEW! Money Video: Understanding Car Insurance
- Building Wealth – wealth-building strategies
- COUNTRY Financial Resource Toolbox – calculators, tips & tools
- Dallas Fed High School Resource for Exploring Colleges and Careers
- DeKalb Public Library – calendar of events in April feature financial literacy
- Financial Literacy for Success – a searchable resources to reach educational goals
- IL Student Assistance Commission – information to make college more accessible and affordable
- IL workNet Center – info on Illinois jobs, training for careers, and building your knowledge & skills
- Invest In What’s Next – interactive mini-course to explore opportunities & budget for your future
- JumpStart Coalition Reality Check – activity that shows finances needed for your dream life
- Kishwaukee College – financial resources for students interested in attending KC
- MyMoney.gov – info, games & fun facts about money, saving and planning for the future
- Navigate publications – an intro to investigating careers & college
- NIU Financial Aid & Scholarships – frequently asked questions & resource site
- St. Louis Fed Resource for Elementary Students.
- The Mint: Fun for Kids – play games to test your money smarts & to learn about money
- The Mint: Tips for Teens – tips & tools for managing money
- Thrivent – resources to prepare, plan, and pay for college
College Students
- NEW! Info Site: How to Manage Your School Loans Successfully
- Building Wealth – wealth-building strategies
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – support to reach college goals
- COUNTRY Financial Resource Toolbox – calculators, tips & tools
- Financial Literacy for Success – a searchable resources for educational goals
- Goodwill Industries – support to help stretch dollars and save
- IL Student Assistance Commission – resources to make college more accessible & affordable
- IL workNet Center – info on jobs, training for careers, and building your knowledge & skills
- JumpStart Coalition Reality Check – an interactive activity that shows money needed for your dream life
- Kishwaukee College – financial resources for students looking to attend KC
- NIU Financial Aid & Scholarships – FAQs & support resources
- The Mint: GRAD – info to start your financial future
- Thrivent – resources to prepare, plan, and pay for college
Families
- NEW! Fun Pack: Family-At-Home Financial Fun
- 4-C: Community Coordinated Child Care – family & childcare support resources
- Building Wealth – an overview of wealth-building strategies
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – answers to money questions & free tools to help reach financial goals
- COUNTRY Financial Send My Kids to College – ways to plan for your children’s future, from college to family nights and more
- DeKalb Public Library – calendar of events in April feature financial literacy
- Edward Jones Paying for Education – create an education savings strategy
- Goodwill Industries – support to help stretch dollars and save
- Heartland Bank – financial education center features online modules
- IL State Treasurer’s Office – info on saving for college
- IL Student Assistance Commission – info & resources to make college more accessible and affordable
- IL workNet Center – info on Illinois jobs, training for careers, and building your knowledge & skills
- JumpStart Coalition resources – clearinghouse of educational resources for teachers, parents, caregivers, and anyone committed to student financial literacy
- Kishwaukee College – financial resources for students interested in attending KC
- Kishwaukee Public Library – library events to support the community, including the AARP tax prep program
- Kishwaukee United Way – community resources
- Navigate publications – an intro to investigating careers & college
- NIU Financial Aid & Scholarships – FAQs & resource site
- The Mint: Parents and Kids and Money – tips & tools for teaching money literacy, and to assess your financial habits
- Thrivent – workshops to webinars, online courses to small group discussions
Adults and Consumer Groups
- NEW! Free Guide: Step-by-Step Budget Creation
- 2017 Financial Well-Being of Americans (CFPB).
- Building Wealth – an overview of wealth-building strategies.
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau – get answers to money questions & find free tools and resources.
- COUNTRY Financial Guiding Tools – calculators, tips and tools, and info to reach your financial goals.
- DeKalb Public Library – calendar of events in April feature financial literacy.
- Edward Jones – resources & financial education info.
- Elder Care Services – assists frail, vulnerable & primarily low-income seniors to remain independent and at home.
- Federal Reserve Survey of Consumer Finances.
- Financial Literacy for Success – searchable resources to reach educational goals.
- FINMed – balance your health & financial goals/ stretch your money/ get support to reach your goals.
- FLEC – home buying made simple.
- Goodwill Industries – support to help stretch your dollars & save.
- Heartland Bank – financial education modules about consumer topics.
- IL Able.gov – New program to help individuals with disabilities save, while preserving their SSI and Medicaid benefits.
- IL Comptroller’s Office – request a presentation workshop on a variety of topics.
- IL State Treasurer’s Office – information to benefit consumers
- IL workNet Center – info on Illinois jobs, training for careers, and building knowledge & skills.
- JumpStart Coalition resources – clearinghouse of educational resources for teachers, parents, caregivers, and anyone committed to financial smarts for students.
- Kishwaukee Public Library – library events to support the community, including the AARP tax prep program.
- Kishwaukee United Way – community resources.
- MyFreeTaxes.com – if your household earned less than $66,000 in 2018, you generally file for free.
- Renewing the Promise of the Middle Class: Federal Reserve System Community Development Research Conference.
- Report on the Economic Well-Being of Households.
- Thrivent – a self-assessment quiz to evaluate your strengths & challenges concerning money.
Podcasts, Blogs, & Webinars
- NEW! CARE Blog: Letter to my Teenage Self-Money Lessons
- Planet Money – an American podcast and blog produced by NPR. Using “creative and entertaining” dialogue and narrative, Planet Money claims to be “The Economy Explained”
- The Dough Roller Money Podcast – a finance podcast for easy-to-understand advice and guidance on managing your money. We discuss personal finance, retirement, money tools, resources, best practices for saving, debt reduction, investing and so much more!
- Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago’s (Chicago Fed) – MSW 2020 virtual resource sessions are available again for 2021. Past video sessions are also available.
- Listen, Money Matters – Andrew and Thomas offer uncensored, straight shooter advice every week over a cold beer. Listen, Money Matters covers tough topics without all the lecturing and while making room for real life.
- Stacking Benjamins – an award-winning podcast that focuses on helping others build wealth. Hosted by Joe Saul-Sehy and characters known as the Other Guy and crazy Neighbor Doug, this podcast offers financial education sometimes disguised as comedy–all from Saul-Sehy’s mom’s basement.
- Webinar – by Cindy Ivanac-Lillig, Economic Outreach Specialist for the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago
Partners and Contact Information
If you have questions, would like to volunteer to offer a virtual session, or have resources to share online, please contact Gretchen Sprinkle, executive director of Kishwaukee United Way at (815) 756-7522.
All sessions, resources, and information are provided without cost to the public and are offered without compensation or benefit to the partner organizations/volunteers.
Smart Money Initiative DeKalb County partners are individuals, businesses, financial institutions, schools, libraries, not-for-profits, government agencies, and media outlets that actively participate on the planning committee and/or during April. Partners provide educational materials, presenters, workshops or seminars, facilities to host events, sponsor events, promotional materials, prizes for youth activities or student competitions, or assist in marketing the initiative. We would like to thank our partners for their role in this initiative!
Planning Committee
- Gretchen Sprinkle, Kishwaukee United Way
- Samantha Hathaway, DeKalb Public Library
- Judith Dymond, NIU Center for Economic Education
- Gavin Wilson, COUNTRY Financial
- Heather Hilleshiem, Edward Jones
- Beth Metzler, Girl Scouts of Northern Illinois
- Meaghan Cassinelli & Nicole Speizio-De Paz, Kishwaukee College
- Bea Mishler, Northern Illinois Federal Credit Union
- Christine DeVlieger, The Suter Company
Local, Regional, and State Partners
