Real Solutions - A National Credit Union Foundation Program

From CUNA News Now – Biz Kid$, a financial literacy initiative that teaches kids about money and business, is now part of a treasure hunt for financial literacy. The Biz Kid$ Piggy Hunt is a collaboration of Biz Kid$ and Horizon CU of Spokane, Wash.

Credit union organizations have until the end of the month to apply for new Biz Kid$ Financial Education Grants from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF). The deadline to apply is March 31, 2013.

Credit union organizations can now apply for new Biz Kid$ Financial Education Grants from the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) through March 31, 2013.

Biz Kid$ has received Daytime Emmy nominations in three categories including Outstanding Children’s Series, Single Camera Editing and Sound Editing from the National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Awards will be given on June 17, 2012 in Los Angeles, Calif. Biz Kid$ is the credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

On June 8th, Biz Kid$ will premiere worldwide as new programming from the American Forces Network (AFN) on military bases overseas. Biz Kid$ is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

Biz Kid$ returns for a new season – taking a close look at the economy, businesses that give back, and how to make good financial choices. Season 5 launched in January on public television stations around the country. Produced in high-definition, every half-hour episode focuses on a financial theme and profiles inspiring young entrepreneurs and social philanthropists.

This Op-ed piece originally appeared in the 12/14/11 issue of the Credit Union Times:

It should come as no surprise that financial education is critical and sorely-needed. A survey from The Hartford Financial Services Group found that more than three-quarters of students report that they wish they had more help preparing for their personal finances. Unfortunately, some educators are not providing a financial education course and may be unprepared to teach the subject, according to a report from the Financial Literacy and Education Commission. As a result, many lack the confidence to teach it to students.

In a segment on understanding a line of credit and where they are available, Biz Kid$ recently filmed at Actors Federal Credit Union and Montauk Credit Union in New York, N.Y. The segment was filmed for an episode from Season five of Biz Kid$, which is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

Supporters of Biz Kid$ can now receive a new Biz Kid$ "starter kit" filled with DVDs and materials to teach Biz Kid$ to schools in their area. Biz Kid$ is the Emmy Award winning and credit union funded public television series that teaches kids about money management and entrepreneurship.

After spearheading efforts for six years, the Washington Credit Union Foundation (WCUF) will be passing fundraising, outreach and administrative responsibilities for Biz Kid$ to the National Credit Union Foundation (NCUF) to ensure the program gains the maximum support from the credit union system.

Biz Kid$, the Emmy Award-winning financial literacy series on public television, visit the NYSE to celebrate the launch of five new episodes in April. In honor of the occasion, Kaelon Horst, Biz Kid$ host, and George Burdick, First Vice President, Wealth Advisor from Worcester, MA, ring The Closing Bell, joined by Alexander Oki and Austin Siedentopf, Biz Kid$ hosts, along with seven of the young entrepreneurs from Boston, Washington, D.C., and New York, who have been featured on the series.

One of the things I miss most about being in a credit union is the opportunity to visit local schools to provide financial education. I loved working with junior high students – yes I bribed them with pizza, candy and snacks but also brought them great information about managing money. I don’t know who learned more – them or me but I enjoyed every minute. Some called me a masochist but I liked junior high students – they had a lot to say and a lot to learn.

I began International Credit Union Week by giving a one-hour Biz Kid$ presentation at our local library. Since this was the introductory session, we selected episode 101 “What is a Biz Kid?” The library wisely scheduled the event on a day off from school (Columbus Day) and did a great job promoting the event in their publications and in the local newspaper. There were 33 kids registered…

As a credit union person who uses Biz Kid$ in the classroom, and one who watches it with the young people in my life on PBS, it was a thrill to be invited to tour the studio while visiting Seattle, WA.

When I walked through the nondescript doors and into the nerve center of one of my favorite programs, I felt like a kid in a candy store! The energy in the studio was electric…

334 PBS stations in all 50 states are broadcasting new episodes of the Emmy Award winning Biz Kid$ underwritten by America’s credit unions. Each episode of Biz Kid$ includes four stories from successful young entrepreneurs reinforcing the importance of saving, budgeting and giving back to their communities. Each episode comes with teaching materials, lesson plans and activities that meet national financial literacy standards. Credit union professionals and volunteers, as well as school teachers and after school programs are teaching the lessons from Biz Kids in Classrooms and community centers.