April is National Financial Literacy Month, and Breakwater Federal Credit Union is celebrating with several hands-on events designed to build confidence and real-world money skills for all ages. Take a look at the events below and join us for a month of learning and fun!
Breakwater is excited to kick off Financial Literacy Month with our second annual Financial Literacy Month Bingo! This fun and interactive challenge is designed to help members build strong money habits through simple, everyday activities.
Complete a task, mark it off your card, and turn it in by the end of the month for a chance to win cash prizes.
Click here to download a Bingo card or stop by our lobby to grab a printed copy and get started.
From April 6–10, Breakwater will celebrate America Saves Week with fun and simple ways to build better saving habits. Kids who visit the branch during the week can take home a free piggy bank to help kickstart their savings journey. We’ll also be sharing daily tips and tricks on social media to help members of all ages make the most of their money. In addition, we’ll be launching a savings goal contest with prizes to encourage participants to set and work toward their own financial goals. More details about the contest will be announced on social media.
From rent and vehicle repair to groceries and leisure activities, adulthood certainly comes with a price tag. This April students from L’Anse, Baraga, and Houghton High Schools will be getting a first-hand look at just how far a paycheck really goes by participating in a Financial Reality Fair.
During a Financial Reality Fair, each student chooses a career and is assigned a salary and financial profile. They then navigate a series of stations where they make decisions about housing, transportation, food, and other everyday expenses, all while tracking their spending on a budget worksheet. Each station is equipped with community volunteers who can help guide students through the experience and share their own real-world perspective.
Breakwater’s second annual Financial Reality Fair at L’Anse High School is set for April 2, with students from Baraga High School joining for a second session. The experience continues on April 7 with the third annual Financial Reality Fair at Houghton High School.
These events are made possible with the support of the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, helping bring hands-on financial education opportunities to students across our communities.
Mark your calendars for April 8! Breakwater is teaming up with Michigan Tech’s GEAR UP and TRIO Pre-College programs to host the all-new Bright Futures Fair at the Hancock Community Hub.
Stop by anytime between 6 and 8 PM for a fun, drop-in event designed to help students get ready for what’s next. Try out Breakwater’s Entrepreneurship Simulation, get help from Tech Tutors, and pick up study and organization tips at the TRIO table.
Bonus: Students who complete the Entrepreneurship Simulation will be entered to win a scholarship to attend a Summer Youth Program at Michigan Technological University.
Plus, there will be activities for younger kids, so bring the whole family!
Breakwater is excited to partner with the Portage Lake District Library to offer two special story time sessions on April 8 at 10:30 AM and April 9 at 1:30 PM. During each session, staff will read How Do You Spend? by Cinders McLeod, followed by engaging, hands-on activities that help children connect with key money concepts in a fun and meaningful way. Books are provided through the $mart Money Kids Read program by the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, and a limited number will be available to take home.
Join us on April 15 as we return for our second year at the Keweenaw Bay Ojibwa Community College Job Fair and Career Expo! We’re excited to connect with students and community members, talk about careers in the financial industry, and share more about the work we do at Breakwater. Whether you’re exploring career options or just stopping by, we’d love to meet you. Plus, don’t forget to grab some free financial literacy resources to take with you!
Breakwater is excited to host our second annual Money Matters: Fun with Finance for Kids event at the Portage Lake District Library on April 20, starting at 4:30 PM! This interactive event is designed for elementary and middle school students and brings financial learning to life in a fun, hands-on way. Children will rotate through a variety of activity stations where they can practice skills like counting money, creating simple chore charts to learn about earning, and guessing the cost of popular toys and everyday items. As they complete each activity, they’ll earn play money. Once they’ve built up their earnings, they can visit the Breakwater Prize Store and use their play money to “shop” for real prizes to take home.
Later in the month, Breakwater will host an adult-focused financial game night at Small Craft in Hancock, offering a fun and interactive way to build financial knowledge. This event is currently in the works and will take place Sunday, April 19 from 3-5PM.
