Junior Achievement helps young people fulfill their New Year's resolutions

Junior Achievement USATM has the tools necessary to help young people accomplish their New Year's Resolutions. In a new survey released in December, Americans said they want to save more and spend less in 2012. Junior Achievement's programs teach youth important financial lessons such as how to save and how to budget through interactive and engaging programs, so they can become responsible consumers.

“The results of the survey demonstrate that now is the time to prioritize your finances and to become a more financially-responsible consumer. Junior Achievement has the tools necessary to instill responsible spending and savings programs and to help prevent bad spending habits before they begin,” Christine Landa, President of Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa said. “Our programs help young people become financially responsible adults.”

This is the third straight year that the top two resolutions are saving more and spending less in the survey measuring shoppers' financial goals. On the 2012 New Year's list, paying off debt jumped to the third spot: last year it was the seventh most popular resolution.

“Junior Achievement plays an integral role in the process because we empower youth to drive their own economic successes. We equip students and adults alike with the tools they need to effectively navigate their paths to smart financial planning. In tough economic times such as this, having a solid grasp on responsible financial decision making is especially important,” Landa added.

According to the survey, 46 percent of people who are considering a financial resolution for 2012 say saving more money is their top priority. The median annual target savings amount is $2,400 for long- and short-term goals, which doubles last year's goal of $1,200.

“Junior Achievement remains focused on leveraging resources to equip youth with the knowledge and skills they need to be responsible economic consumers,” Landa said. “Junior Achievement provides youth with the resources they need now so when they become adults they already have a strong financial base.”

Junior Achievement doesn't just deliver its financial literacy programs to youth. Junior Achievement also provides parents with fun, age-appropriate resources to help them discuss money-management concepts with their children. Junior Achievement $ave, USATM provides children and their parents important lessons on budgeting, the value of saving, the role of insurance and other important financial security matters.

Junior Achievement's programs have been shown to positively affects students' futures: programs such as JA Personal Finance®, JA Finance Park®, JA Economics for Success®, JA BizTown®, and JA More than Money® are designed to teach financial literacy as a pillar of student success. These programs support the skills and competencies identified by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills and augment school-based, work-based, and connecting activities for communities with school-to-work initiatives. The programs help students learn how to work together and respect the talents, creativity, perspectives and backgrounds of all individuals while also teaching them how to save, set goals, make investments and manage their money.

“These new survey results imply that people are willing to take control of their finances,” Landa said. “But you should not have to undertake this challenge alone. Junior Achievement is here to help you as you teach your children how to proactively manage their finances. Youth need to understand early on why it is important to maintain good credit and have a savings account.”

About Junior Achievement of Eastern Iowa Junior Achievement is the world's largest organization dedicated to inspiring and preparing young people to succeed in a global economy. Through a dedicated volunteer network, Junior Achievement provides in-school and after-school programs for students which focus on three key content areas: work readiness, entrepreneurship, and financial literacy. Today, 126 individual area operations reach four million students in the United States, with an additional 5.8 million students served by operations in 123 other countries worldwide. Locally, 41,022 students participate in the programs. Additional information can be found at www.jaeasterniowa.org.

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