APRIL IS NATIONAL CREDIT UNION YOUTH MONTH
The Science of Saving
Saving your money isn’t always easy, especially when you don’t have a lot to spare. After paying all your usual expenses, there may be very little “fun” money at the end of the month. When we do find ourselves with some extra cash, like a tax refund, many of us rush out to buy those shoes or that electronic gadget we’ve been eyeing for months instead of putting it into our savings.
Why do we do that? Why do we spend the money we planned on using for our future?
We can blame it on our brains. Behavioral science has shown that humans are hard-wired to act on impulse and that it takes conscious thought to delay gratification. It’s also much easier to focus on the present than our future.
To help you save for your future, behavioral science suggests visualizing yourself as you might look when you’re older. For instance, if you want to save for retirement, imagine yourself at age 67, living comfortably, maybe traveling the country, or having the time and the means to do something you’ve always wanted to do. According to a study done in 2014, this technique works. The researchers took photos of 50 college students and digitally altered each person’s photo to make them look 70 years old. The participants were instructed to study the photos. Then they were told to imagine receiving $1,000 and were asked how they’d like to use the money: buy something now for a special person or for an extravagant night out, or put that money into a retirement fund. After seeing a photo of themselves at 70 years old, the majority allocated more of the money to their retirement fund than to the other options.
Another way to help you save for your future is by making it a habit. Start with small goals. For instance, commit to putting a certain amount, say $10, into a savings account every week. If you have direct deposit, you might want to consider setting up an automatic transfer of $10 into your savings account every time your paycheck is deposited. Over time, you can gradually increase the amount by a dollar or two.
Teach Your Children How To Save
To help your children get into the savings habit, start by having them cut out pictures of something they’d like to have someday and post the images where they’ll see them often. Then help them open a savings account at Co-op Credit Union. You can open an account with as little as $5.00. Encourage your child to make regular small deposits each week. Tell them their money will earn interest while it’s in their account. If they keep this routine going, they’ll quickly see their savings grows.
In April, we’re celebrating Youth Month. For Every deposit made in a Savings Account, you will receive an automatic entry to win a Kindle Fire! Our Cub Account members will receive a newsletter in the mail with a fun coloring page to return to any of our branches for a chance to win a prize. We encourage you to bring your children into any of our branches to show them how much fun saving money can be. Please visit our Kids Corner for other fun activities you can do with your kids to teach them more about saving!
Games and Financial Literacy Tools
Take a virtual road trip across the country.
- Save your money along the way
- Spend your money along the way
- Complete the challenges along the way
- Click on the image to begin
Learn about earning and saving money.
- Match coins to earn money
- Decide how to build a magical world
- Click on the image to begin
Cub Account Members receive the Bear Cents Newsletter that includes fun activities and invitations to special events! Select a Newsletter below to view or print:
A Little Fun!
Click on the LINKS below to print out a coloring page of Brother Bear or Sister Bear!
