FBLA financial literacy service projects

By Irasema Del Castillo

The Future Business Leaders of America is a club organization to teach students business and managing skills. The FBLA runs the school snack shop and compete with different school in the area. They have also come up with new ways to serve our communities, starting with the younger members of it.

James Keyes, junior, says "In FBLA we go to elementary schools and teach them about financial literacy. Bankruptcy is a problem here, so we are hoping that if they learn about budgeting at a young age they will be able allocate their money better than they normally would when they grow older."

As a service project, the FBLA goes to local elementaries schools in grades fourth through sixth at Windsor, Northridge, Bonneville, and Orchard to teach the kids wise money habits. The presentations cover earning about how to save and budget. This service project benefits both the students of Timpanogos and the local elementaries.

Junior, Devan Dowl, says “I feel it will inspire them to be financially fit and aware of financial situations.”

McKinnley Barney, president of the FBLA, says "working with the fourth, fifth, and sixth graders at elementary schools across the area is fantastic. They are so smart and love to participate. I think they really learn a lot."

The FBLA also organizes luncheons for the students here at Timpanogos every Wednesday during lunch. During these luncheons a professional in business or finance comes in to teach different topics such as: budging, the differences between banks and credit unions, and many more essential facts about finance.

With the many struggles in the economy, students need to know even more about finance and money, not just how to spend it and get into debt. If you are interested in coming to these luncheons you can talk to any of the business teachers to sign up for the seminar. They will also provide lunch; so go and learn about finance and get fed.

The FBLA are also partnered with Utah Community Credit Union to teach parents how to be financially stable.

The FBLA is doing a great job educating not only our school with money, but our community.