Kids get lesson in saving and managing money

By LYNETTE SOWELL Cove Leader-PressKids ages 5-11 got a lesson in how quickly money can disappear during Tuesday afternoon’s summer reading program activity at the Copperas Cove Public Library. Amanda Stephens and Nicole Washington with First National Bank paid a special visit, which included a story, a short talk about money, and a craft. Stephens read the book “Alexander, Who Used to Be Rich Last Sunday”, a humorously woeful tale of a boy who somehow spent the dollar his grandparents gave him. He’d wanted to save up to buy a walkie-talkie, but so many other things during the week caught his attention, and little by little, his entire dollar disappeared. “How can you save money?” Stephens asked the children in the room, filled with 108 children and adults. The kids offered ideas, one of which included taking money to the bank. Stephens told them about making deposits, about how money that stays in the bank earns  interest, a “little bit extra” the bank gives its customers for keeping their money. The kids we e able to bring home a budgeting list, where they could keep track of money they spend, along with a bookmark on which they can list items they’d like to save for. While discussing things they might want  o save for, topics included “my own makeup” and a “soccer ball.” One child even suggested, “something you need.”Stephens then talked about having money  saved for when something happens you don’texpect. After the story and short discussion, the kids had the chance to decorate their own piggy banks, using empty plastic soda and water bottles. Besides the craft, the kids also took home other pages, included a maze where they had to get piggy to the bank. “Be careful of distractions—those things will keep the pig from getting to the bank,” said Stephens.Emileigh McLaughlin, age 9, came to the  program with her friend, T.J. Massey, age 8. She enjoyed the story and making the piggy bank as well. “(Emileigh) likes to come to these (programs),”said her grandmother. “It gives kids something to do during the afternoon.”  Local businesses and organizations present the Tuesday programs for kids ages 5-11. Programs begin at 2 p.m. Wednesday afternoon teen programs also start at 2 p.m., and a 2 p.m.program for all ages is held each Thursday through July 23.