Chicago Money Smart Kids Past Winners

For the last several years, a committee of Money Smart Week^® Chicago partners have selected a "Money Smart Kid." What the secret to their success? Take a look at some past winners to see what can make you Money Smart!

2009 Question

The current U.S. economy is facing significant challenges. Please describe some of these challenges and briefly discuss some of the steps that your family and other families can take to meet these challenges.

L to R: Beard, Reyes, Coleman, Brahin, D'Souza and So.

These Kids Are Money Smart!

Look out world! Here come the 2009 Money Smart Kids from Chicago. Kids in Chicago were challenged to write an essay about how their families can handle their finances in these bumpy times. The winners?

Jonathan D'Souza, Grade 7, Tefft Middle School
Jackson Beard, Grade 8, Whitney Young
Leonard Brahin, Grade 5, Ogden Elementary
John Reyes, Grade 7, Lenart
Kurtis So, Grade 7 Lenart
Patrice Coleman, Grade 6, John Pirie

Take a look at their essays for their tips on managing money.

2007 Question

Your family faces a financial emergency - flooding has ruined your refrigerator and it needs to be replaced. Your insurance will not cover the cost of a new one, so your family needs to find ways to adjust other spending.

What changes in the family's spending would you recommend to help replace the refrigerator...and why?
How does a budget help a family prepare for a situation like this?
What action might you take to assist your family in this crisis?