Financial Education
State Employees' Credit Union (SECU) recognizes the importance of financial education. SECU employees across the state are trained to serve as presenters on various consumer topics. As a member-owned, financial cooperative, the Credit Union offers many programs for a variety of age groups and organizations.FAT CAT
SECU’s FAT CAT program is designed for elementary age students. Topics covered in this program include careers, needs vs. wants, savings accounts, and economics. The program offers fun activities and games to enhance a child's creativity. Activities and workbooks are available to accompany lessons and employee-led presentations. Also included is an interactive website with games, videos and worksheets for students. Visit the FAT CAT website to learn more.Biz Kid$
Biz Kid$ is an exciting financial education program for middle school students. The program is taught using television shows (DVDs) featuring young entrepreneurs and their financial choices. The lesson concludes with engaging games and activities used to reinforce the financial concepts discussed. Topics include: how to use credit wisely, saving, budgeting, investing, donating and running a business. Biz Kid$ also includes a website with video clips, program materials and more. Visit the Biz Kid$ website for more information.National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE)
High School Financial Planning Program (HSFPP)
The NEFE HSFPP was created for high school students to introduce them to basic financial concepts. The program is a six-part series including modules on Money Management, Borrowing, Earning Power, Investing, Financial Services and Insurance. This comprehensive program includes a student guide for each participant. The guides are complete with activities to assist in developing the student's own financial management plan. Each instructor using the program may receive a manual with discussion questions, exams and activities to correspond with each module. This program provides a unique opportunity for students to develop financial skills before they begin to consider a career or select a college. SECU personnel can help teachers with obtaining NEFE HSFPP materials and provide supplemental assistance in the classroom. To view materials and other program information, visit the High School Financial Planning Program website.
Reality of Money
The Reality of Money financial simulation is a hands-on, interactive, real world activity suggested for grades 8th through 12th. It is designed to be used with large groups of students and in smaller classroom settings. During the activity students make financial decisions about paying for housing, transportation and other monthly expenses as they are “transformed” into young adults with jobs and other financial responsibilities to manage. Students are exposed to several financial learning points such as the value of furthering their education after high school, the limiting effect bad credit has on their lifestyle choices and "living within their means" allows them to save for their financial future. While The Reality of Money is not the "total lesson" for financial education, it gets the conversation started.Sensible Savings Sessions
SECU partners with the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) in presenting Sensible Savings Sessions for State employees across the state. During this free workshop State employees learn about a wide variety of resources intended to help them plan for a prosperous financial future. Information on the following topics is presented during each Sensible Savings Session:- Contributing to supplemental retirement savings plans.
- Preparing for retirement.
- Financial wellness topics such as estate planning and debt reduction.
- NCFlex benefit plans.
To learn more about the Sensible Savings Sessions schedule and locations, please visit the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources website.