Give Your Child a Head Start on Money Confidence
Apr 10, 2025Financial Coaching
We believe that building strong communities starts with something simple: helping people understand their money. It’s why we’re here, and it’s especially important when it comes to the next generation.
That’s why every April we celebrate Credit Union Youth Month. It’s a month dedicated to helping kids (and parents!) build good money habits early on. It’s more than a themed month, it’s part of our mission to empower families with tools, education, and support for every stage of life.
We know how important it is for young people to learn about money early on, but we also know it’s not always easy to start those conversations at home. That’s where HAPO comes in.
Why Now? Why Youth Month?
Credit unions like HAPO exist to serve, not to profit. That difference is what allows us to reinvest in our members and communities. But with more pressure on credit unions to prove their value, Youth Month gives us a chance to show exactly why we do what we do—by helping young members start strong and stay confident with their finances.
From kids excitedly learning how savings work to parents getting real support in teaching money basics, Youth Month is our mission in action. And we’re proud to bring that energy to your family this April, and beyond.
Start Early. Make It Stick.
Money habits form young. Studies show that the earlier children are introduced to financial education, the more likely they are to make healthy financial decisions as adults.
But the numbers tell another story:
- The average age of a credit union member is 53, well above the national average of 38.5.
- At the same time, $90 trillion in wealth is about to shift from Baby Boomers to younger generations.
If we don’t start building those relationships early, we risk losing a whole generation to big banks and FinTech’s that are already fighting for their attention.
Youth accounts aren’t just cute, they’re powerful. Members who start young often stay for life. That’s why we offer youth-focused products and engaging tools that help build real financial confidence.
Real Tools for Real Life
To make Youth Month meaningful, we go beyond activities and coloring pages. HAPO provides resources that actually help families start and continue financial conversations at home and in school:
It’s a Money Thing: An easy, visual way to teach financial concepts like budgeting, credit, saving, and even student loans. Whether you’re watching together, or your child is exploring independently, these videos and resources break it all down in a way that makes sense.
Explore it here: hapo.org/it’s-a-money-thing
LiveNow: Our digital hub is packed with interactive learning modules for teens and young adults. It covers the stuff every young person needs to know, like how to build credit, create a budget, and avoid debt.
Check it out: livenow.hapo.org
For Families, Not Just Kids
The best Youth Month campaigns don’t just focus on kids, they support parents and caregivers, too. At HAPO, we offer tools that make it easy to reinforce financial lessons at home, with digital and printable resources that match your schedule.
Have a child in school? We work directly with local educators to provide easy, ready-to-use financial literacy activities that fit right into existing classroom plans. Our goal is to make financial education accessible for every family, not overwhelming.
This Is Bigger Than April
While Youth Month is a great kickoff, our commitment to youth financial education lasts all year long. Credit unions that invest in these efforts see stronger family relationships and deeper trust in the community. This isn’t about checking a box—it’s about shaping a generation.
The Credit Union Difference Starts with You
At a time when credit unions face growing pressure to justify our tax-exempt status, initiatives like Youth Month help us prove our purpose. We’re not-for-profit, member-owned, and mission-driven—and financial education is at the heart of it all.
By helping young members learn how to manage their money, you’re not just setting your child up for success, you’re helping protect and preserve the values that make HAPO different.
Whether you’re opening your child’s first savings account or exploring resources together online, we’re here to support your journey. Visit your local HAPO branch or check out our Youth Month resources today. Because confidence with money starts now—and it starts with you.
Marcelo Quintana
Content Contributor | HAPO Community Credit Union