Kathy here!

Did some investigating recently and found some rather ingenious educators who have been developing new methods of learning, using creative curriculum that really engages today’s teen generation. They’ve made learning fun, including learning about financial responsibility.

By fun, I mean that they’ve developed hands on learning and video games with an educational message. Brilliant I say! I did my due diligence on a number of these video games and found some impressive sites that feature the essential money saving, credit-building message.

First, check out a really clever game, “Celebrity Calamity” which was featured in Fast Company magazine and many others. It’s a real hit with tweens, teens and young adults because they have to manage the money of a celebrity. I love the beginning where it’s raining money and clothes for you to catch! www.celebritycalamity.com

Then there is Moneytopia. More than just a clever name, this video game takes you through 40 years of financial decisions including where to live, what clothes to buy, where to invest and what bills to pay. You can use cash, credit cards or high cost payday loans. The game even throws in an occasional surprise such as a wedding or birth. This game really offers valuable know-how to teens on how to manage money, (and what its like to be an adult, a parent).
http://www.saveandinvest.org/Military/manageMoney/managingCredit/P037943

For younger kids, I love “The Great Piggy Adventure” which is a collaboration between Disney and T Rowe Price Associates. The game’s lessons are about setting goals, saving and spending wisely, inflation, etc. Anything involved in Disney hits a home run with kids, so this game excels in teaching kids 8 to14 about money.
www.piggybank.disney.go.com

I learned that many teachers recommend these and other online games for “real world” learning! So, check em’ out!

And always remember to visit www.U224U.com to learn more about GTE Federal Credit Union’s U22 checking account for 12 to 22 year olds. Because learning about money is important, no matter what your age!”

How many of you watched Taylor Swift walk away with the night at the CMA’s last week?? I DID!! And I got to see it up close and personal because I got to go!! What a treat!!! The crowd was going crazy!! (Me included!!) Anyway, it was not only cool, but it was inspirational for me. I wanna get there someday!! Who knows, right?? A girl can dream.

It was not only fun to watch the awards, but it was very comfortable too. All of the shops and food places were open in the arena, so we could eat and drink during the whole show. My sister was wearing a black satin dress, and she got an elephant ear covered with powdered sugar. Can you see where I am going with this? Yep, she got it ALL OVER her dress. Mom wasn’t too happy about that. I used my GTE Federal Credit Union U22 debit card to buy a CMA Awards t-shirt. You know, been there, done that, got the t-shirt!!!! :0 And I also bought a program to have forever. I only brought a small purse with me. I’m glad I didn’t need to bring a whole wallet. It wouldn’t have fit. Just my U22 card, a lip gloss and my phone and this girl was golden!!!!

If you ask most kids where they’d like to go on a trip, most of them I guess would say something like Orlando. But if you ask me, I would have to say Nashville, Tennessee! I will be heading back there soon. Every time I go, I get energized about my music career. I meet with record labels (and yes, that IS very cool) song writers and other people in the music business that give me really good advice. I wish I could go more often. But these trips can be expensive! I have to fly on an airplane with my mom, and we rent a car and stay in a hotel. Now that I make some of my own money, I always set some aside for trips to Nashville. My U22 account helps make my trip easier. I don’t have to bring cash. (Which I am not very good at keeping track of!!) I just bring my MasterCard debit card. When I need (or want!) to buy something, all I have to do is swipe the card and enter my pin number. My mom gets an alert that I have made a purchase just in case I get a little crazy with my card! LOL!!

Wish me luck on my trip!! THANKS!!!