Saving money made easier for youth with new free mobile application and website
Manitoba, January 19, 2011 - Spending money without consideration of the bigger picture is often the case with youth. Whether it is $5.00 on lunch or $20.00 at the movies, these costs quickly add up. Over the course of one school year a child can save well over $1000.00 if they make some simple changes to their spending habits. Recognizing this, The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) developed My Make it Count, a free mobile application and interactive website that allows youth to track the money they earn and spend each day, start savings goals, monitor their financial habits, and share smart spending ideas with each other.
“We want kids to start realizing some of the big savings associated with proper money management, really get them to understand that they can start using their money for more than just spending,†says Don Murray, Chair of MSC. He believes the earlier a child is involved in money management the more likely these habits will carry into adulthood.
Ainsley Cunningham, Manager, Education and Communications with MSC says the mobile application and website are not intended to turn kids into budgeting experts. “My Make it Count is about understanding your relationship with money. Rather than tracking budgeting percentages, My Make it Count instead tracks the number and type of transactions made each week. This way, a child can look at their money habits and say, “Okay, this week I made 12 food purchases, maybe next week I can try and make only 10.â€â€Â Cunningham concludes, “Eventually, we hope these small changes will improve kids’ spending habits and ultimately, their ability to manage their own money.â€
To start using the My Make it Count program go to MyMakeitCount.ca or download the free mobile application by searching ‘My Make it Count’ in the iTunes Store. You can also check out My Make it Count on Facebook.
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About My Make it Count                           Â
My Make it Count is a place to track your money, set savings goals and work on your spending habits. Bought a snack? Enter it into My Make it Count. See something you like in a store? Start a savings goal in My Make it Count. Worried you are spending too much on clothes? Review your spending habits in My Make it Count. By using My Make it Count’s interactive tools every day (or every day you get or spend money), you soon realize how simple it is to track your money and make spending and savings plans! Â
About The Manitoba Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission is a special operating agency of the Government of Manitoba that protects and informs investors through educational programming and promotes fair and efficient capital markets throughout the province.
Contact
Ainsley Cunningham
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Phone (204) 945-4733
Saving money made easier for youth with new free mobile application and website
Manitoba, January 19, 2011 - Spending money without consideration of the bigger picture is often the case with youth. Whether it is $5.00 on lunch or $20.00 at the movies, these costs quickly add up. Over the course of one school year a child can save well over $1000.00 if they make some simple changes to their spending habits. Recognizing this, The Manitoba Securities Commission (MSC) developed My Make it Count, a free mobile application and interactive website that allows youth to track the money they earn and spend each day, start savings goals, monitor their financial habits, and share smart spending ideas with each other.
“We want kids to start realizing some of the big savings associated with proper money management, really get them to understand that they can start using their money for more than just spending,†says Don Murray, Chair of MSC. He believes the earlier a child is involved in money management the more likely these habits will carry into adulthood.
Ainsley Cunningham, Manager, Education and Communications with MSC says the mobile application and website are not intended to turn kids into budgeting experts. “My Make it Count is about understanding your relationship with money. Rather than tracking budgeting percentages, My Make it Count instead tracks the number and type of transactions made each week. This way, a child can look at their money habits and say, “Okay, this week I made 12 food purchases, maybe next week I can try and make only 10.â€â€Â Cunningham concludes, “Eventually, we hope these small changes will improve kids’ spending habits and ultimately, their ability to manage their own money.â€
To start using the My Make it Count program go to MyMakeitCount.ca or download the free mobile application by searching ‘My Make it Count’ in the iTunes Store. You can also check out My Make it Count on Facebook.
- 30 -
About My Make it Count                           Â
My Make it Count is a place to track your money, set savings goals and work on your spending habits. Bought a snack? Enter it into My Make it Count. See something you like in a store? Start a savings goal in My Make it Count. Worried you are spending too much on clothes? Review your spending habits in My Make it Count. By using My Make it Count’s interactive tools every day (or every day you get or spend money), you soon realize how simple it is to track your money and make spending and savings plans! Â
About The Manitoba Securities Commission
The Manitoba Securities Commission is a special operating agency of the Government of Manitoba that protects and informs investors through educational programming and promotes fair and efficient capital markets throughout the province.
Contact
Ainsley Cunningham
The Manitoba Securities Commission
Phone (204) 945-4733
