Little Stars Kid Club

Jersey Shore FCU welcomes members of all ages!

Children under the age of 13 are automatically enrolled in Little Stars Club. This club is designed to teach them that saving money can be fun, and it works to instill an important habit to start at an early age. Kids receive a membership kit and we offer periodic special events and coloring contests too. Just like every other share account holder, kids get a statement in the mail every three months.

Elementary Students - Visit the 5-Spot web site for games, fun stories about money, and much more!

Middle School Students - Visit AJ’s Mall for challenging online activities, tips to help you manage your money, and more!

You’re growing up and assuming more responsibilities. And maybe you’re getting an allowance for some of those chores you do around the house. Perhaps your relatives have finally started giving you cash for your birthday.

Now that you’ve gotten a little taste of financial freedom, you want more! Here are a few suggestions for how you can earn money while your under 18:

• Get a part-time job.
• Referee at local youth sporting events.
• Baby-sit.
• Tutor younger kids.
• Do extra work around the house.
• Walk dogs or pet-sit.
• Do yard work.
• Get a paper route.
  

Saving Money

Now that you're earning money, it's important to start saving money and here's why:

1. Emergencies: You forgot to put your skateboard away last night and it was stolen. Your parents refuse to buy you a new one because it was your responsibility to bring it in. If you don’t have any money saved, you’ll be sitting at home next Saturday when your friends are at the skate park.
2. Current Expenses: Need money for new clothes, CDs or movie tickets? If you’ve set aside some savings, these expenses will be easy to pay for.
3. Future Purchases: Prepare today for future major expenses like buying a car and paying for college.

If you want to start saving and earning dividends at the same time, ask your parent or guardian to help you open a credit union account. Then you can look at your statements together and see how your money has grown!

Creating a Budget & Making a Savings Plan

Creating a budget and saving money isn’t easy. It takes a little practice and a lot of discipline. A good way to start is to develop a savings plan. A savings plan shows you where your money comes from, how much there is and where it goes. Here is what to do.

• Pledge to stick to your plan.
• Figure out how much money you have coming in each month. Count your income from your allowance, part-time job and any other sources.
• Work out how much you want to save. Divide the money into several different categories including everyday expenses, savings for large purchases and savings for the future.
• Put your plan in writing. Track how much money you have coming in and how much you spend.
• Set spending limits.
• Adjust your plan as needed.
• Now take a look at where you spend your money. Do you overspend in several categories? By keeping track, you’ll learn about your spending habits. Then you’ll start to see ways to save.
  

Saving Money While You Spend

• Don’t impulse shop. When you’re hanging out with friends at the mall, don’t buy something just because you think it looks cool. First, step back and ask yourself the following questions: Do I really need this item? Am I sure that I’ll use it or wear it? If I make this purchase, can I still pay any debts I owe? Can I find this item cheaper or on sale somewhere else?
• Shop the sales. If you shop the big sales to buy needed items, your shopping will stay focused and you'll get more for your money.
• Shop places other than the mall. The mall is one of the most expensive places to buy things. Try outlet stores, discount stores or consignment or second-hand stores instead and save some cash.
• Go to matinées and discount theaters. Movies are expensive. To help you save money look in the newspaper for discount theaters, go see a matinée (usually a show before 5 p.m.) and don’t spend money on refreshments at the theater.
• Don’t waste money on sub-par products. Research items before you buy them to be sure that they do what they’re advertised to do. Check out consumer or specialty magazines and read their reviews and comparisons.