Girl Scouts and Visa USA Team Up for Financial Literacy

August 3, 2004

By Marion F. Swan, staff writer

In a world that is becoming increasingly financially complex, but where making a purchase requires the simple click of a mouse, it is imperative that young people understand the basic concepts of money management, budgeting, and investing. Girl Scouts of the USA proudly announces two exciting new financial literacy resources, funded by Visa USA. The first is a book for tweens and teens called Cashin' In and the second is an interactive web game called Making Cents of Her Life.

Managing Allowances and Part-time Job Earnings

The new STUDIO 2BSM Focus book Cashin' In shows girls how to create and stick to a spending plan, increase their income, shop smarter, and develop saving and investing habits. High school years are filled with 'must do' activities that cost money such as proms, class trips, and college application fees. Designed to resemble a teen magazine, Cashin' In is filled with budgeting tips that girls will use throughout their lives.

Making Cents of Her Life, the new interactive web game for girls of all ages, showcases four different stages in a girl's life—middle school, high school, college, and after finding her first job. In the game, which can be found at www.studio2b.org/lounge/games/ and www.practicalmoneyskills.com, girls can choose which character they want to assist in facing a series of financial challenges.

Getting Ready for Responsibility

Statistics show that 90% of women are responsible for their own finances at one point or another during their lives. Girl Scouts is firmly committed to ensuring girls are properly equipped to face the financial challenges that lay before them. Starting with Penny Power Try-It activities for Girl Scouts ages 6-8 and continuing with activities from the book CentsAbility, the STUDIO 2B Focus book Got Money? (or ¿Quieres Dinero?), and Money Smarts Web pages, today's Girl Scouts are becoming the financially savvy leaders of tomorrow.

For more information about Girl Scouts' financial literacy resources and activities, contact your local Girl Scout office or visit our Program Opportunities: Financial Literacy page.