Middle school youth in essay contest for ‘Indiana Money Smart Week’

Friday, February 15, 2019

Information was recently received in the Purdue Extension Putnam County office regarding the Indiana Money Smart Week essay contest for grades 6-8. Submissions will due by Friday, Feb. 22 at midnight. One can also go to the Purdue Extension Putnam County website to find the fillable form and more details.

The application states that in support of Indiana Money Smart Week 2019, the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest Committee and partner organizations are presenting the Money Smart Kid Essay Contest. Students in grades 6-8 are encouraged to answer the Money Smart Question with an essay of 300 words or less.

The committee will review all essays and the top three finalists will be invited to attend the Indiana Money Smart Week Kickoff Luncheon in Indianapolis on Friday, March 29. All three will receive a CollegeChoice 529 plan deposit and one of them will be named Indiana’s Money Smart Kid 2019.

Essays should address the 2019 essay topic which follows: Many American families experience income volatility over the course of a year. Please explain what the phrase “income volatility” means, why a family may experience it, and who in our communities are prone to experience “income volatility.” Please offer ways that a family could prepare for a sudden change in income and what you think could be done to help alleviate this situation.

Additionally, students must be recommended by a teacher using the form found online. Essays are to be 300 words or less and type printed on plain white paper with the application form attached.

Speaking of CollegeChoice 529 plan deposits, it is important that grade 3 youth who have enrolled in 4-H remember to open a CollegeChoice 529 plan. A plan can be opened for as little as $25 and any Putnam 4-H member in grade 3 who submits a UGift form proving that the youth has a 529 College Choice account will also have $25 deposited into the account upon completing 4-H in 2019.

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to receive $25 and most importantly get started early to save for post high school education. Too often people assume that these plans are only for those planning a four-year degree plan. The fact that Indiana provides a direct state income tax payment of 20 percent of annual contributions up to $5000 ($2,000 direct payment limit) and that one can use these funds for any sort of post high school education to obtain certifications, retraining following a loss of a job, etc., these plans certainly make sense for a cushion during a career change crisis. Additionally funds can be transferred to next generation or to siblings etc. in most situations.

Visit www.extension.purdue.edu/putnam or contact the local Purdue Extension Office by calling 653-8411 for more information regarding this week’s column topic or to RSVP for upcoming events. It is always best to call first to assure items are ready when you arrive and to RSVP for programs. While many publications are free, some do have a fee.

Upcoming events

Feb. 12 – Cultivating Your Farmers Market Knowledge – Night 2, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Feb. 13 – Youth Quality Care Animals program, Fairgrounds, 6 p.m. Signup https://yqca.learngrow.io/Account/Login

Feb. 20 – Exploring 4-H (Mini 4-H grade 2) Kickoff, Fairgrounds, 6-7 p.m.

Feb. 20 – Junior Leader Meeting, Fairgrounds, 7 p.m.

Feb. 23 – 4-H Grows Knowledge Workshop Cloverdale High School, 9 a.m.

March 12 – Cultivating Your Farmers Market Knowledge – Night 3, 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Respond to this story

Posting a comment requires free registration: