Volume 18, Number 1, Fall 2007

4-H’ers Are Future Millionaires in Hillsdale County

Erica Tobe

What kid (or grown-up, for that matter) doesn’t want to be a millionaire some day? Hillsdale County 4-H members have the opportunity to learn about tools that might lead them up the road to personal wealth, or at least healthy personal finances. Hillsdale was one of six Michigan counties (along with Antrim, Baraga, Delta, Leelenau and St. Clair) selected to offer the first “Future 4-H Millionaires’ Club” projects. The clubs help teens learn about managing personal finances and maximizing their savings through investments. The project addresses the need for targeted education for youth in workforce development and financial management. This program is funded by a grant through the University of Kentucky from the NASD Foundation, and in partnership with the Universities of Kentucky and Tennessee, and Virginia Tech.

Six teens and two adult volunteers from Hillsdale County attended a two-day training in late January at Kettunen Center. They not only learned about making choices—their wants versus needs, short-term and long-term goals—but also how to wisely use credit cards and the importance of investing money early and often.

Since January, Hillsdale County 4-H Millionaires’ Club members have prepared and led an educational program focusing on saving and investing for teens as part of “Michigan Saves Week” in March and an “Investor Basics” program for young people as part of “Michigan Money Smart Week” in April. The program featured a presentation on investing basics and interactive group work facilitated by the club members.

Club members are also watching the stock market closely, making mock investments, calculating gains and losses and learning a lot about the world of finances. Teen members will not only learn money management skills through the program, but also gain leadership, decision-making and problem-solving skills.

For more information on this exciting program, please contact Insa Raymond (Hillsdale County MSUE, raymon65@msu.edu) or Erica Tobe (Campus Program Leader, tobee@msu.edu) or Sheila Smith (Campus Program Leader, smiths20@msu.edu.)