Opportunities for Iowans to Learn More about Personal Financial Management

Money Smart Week – scheduled for April 2-9 – offers Iowa middle-school students a chance to compete for $1,000 in college savings and recognition as Iowa’s Money Smart Kid for 2011.

To compete, students in grades six through eight need to submit a 300-word essay addressing the question:  What are the financial risks and benefits of mortgaging a home from the perspective of both the potential homeowner and the bank or lender?  Contest submissions are due March 21.

Another contest gives students in second through sixth grade the chance to win a $200 savings bond for their thoughts on money.  The students are asked to design posters answering the question: “There’s a lot to learn about money. What should you know now?” The deadline for submission is April 1.

More information about the contests and other Money Smart Week happenings is at www.moneysmartweek.org/iowa. 

All together, more than 136 free educational events will take place statewide to help Iowans of all ages learn to better manage their personal finances.

I’m a partner of Money Smart Week Iowa, along with more than a hundred community groups, financial institutions, government agencies, educational organizations and financial experts.   The program is designed to help people learn about investing, personal finance, teens and money and estate planning.