Students Win Laptops For Learning Financial Prowess

It really pays to learn how to handle your money before you even make a lot of it: if you are a student, you can win a laptop.

For example: three students have won the Financial Consumer Agency of Canada's contest on their web site known as The City, an interactive that teaches online how to manage their money.

Julia Lussier, 25, from the Nova Scotia Community College in Bridgetown, Nova Scotia, Cameron Leake, 17, from Vernon Secondary School in Vernon, British Columbia and Jessica Godin, 17, from St. Roger CHS in North York, Ontario, had to finish four study modules and score 100 per cent on a follow-up quiz. After that, it took the luck of a draw.The government department has worked with the British Columbia Securities Commission to develop tools that help teach young people to manage their money (whatever there is of it). The interactive tool, almost a game, presents students with eight characters who face common financial circumstances at different life stages. Besides, many young people are not aware of the difference between needs and wants. The tools on the site teach them all about theese major differences, adding topics such as budgeting, managing money, building savings, using credit wisely, the benefits of insurance and avoiding fraud.

On top of it all, Simonds High School in Saint John, New Brunswick will receive a SMART Board^TM thanks to teacher Jan Leblanc, who enrolled her class in The City. "The City was a fantastic interactive program for my students," said Leblanc. "They enjoyed working online compared to working in a regular classroom environment."

The City is available free of charge at fcac.gc.ca. FCAC's website also provides other tips and interactive resources for teachers, students and parents.