Substitute Cash for Candy This Halloween to Encourage Health & Financial Literacy, Urges the National Financial Educators Council
WASHINGTON, Oct. 26, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Financial Educators Council encourages trick-or-treat givers and parents of trick-or-treaters to substitute cash for candy this Halloween. At the same time, you can leverage the opportunity to teach kids about money.
Financial illiteracy, obesity rates and other illnesses caused by poor diet among today's youth have nearly reached all-time highs. Most kids today will never be able to afford retirement. And dietary issues cause more deaths annually than smoking, drinking, and drugs combined, according to a report published by the IHME (Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation).
Up until the late 1940s and 50s, Halloween trick-or-treaters received a variety of gifts, not just candy: money, nuts, fruit, cookies and toys were the norm. During the 1960s it still was common to receive something other than candy in your Halloween bag; but in the 1970s, candy manufacturers made a huge marketing push and candy began to take over the Halloween tradition, according to research by The Atlantic.
To address the financial illiteracy epidemic and improve wellness, the National Financial Educators Council developed the #CashForCandy campaign (https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/cash-for-candy/). This campaign raises awareness about the importance of molding healthy dietary and financial habits. It also encourages financial education to be shared among parents and anyone who hands out "treats" on Halloween. The NFEC offers two solutions for people who desire to contribute to the heath, financial security, and education of our nation's young people:
1) Parents: Parents are encouraged to buy back candy from their children. Exchange cash for the candy they collect, and use the opportunity to start teaching your kids money management lessons that will have profound impact on their futures. The NFEC is making complimentary worksheet and activities available for families who want to help mold positive financial behaviors in their children.
2) Treat Givers: For people preparing for trick-or-treaters, the NFEC suggests substituting cash for candy. Kids like receiving money, and it provides an opportunity to encourage positive financial behaviors. The NFEC also provides handouts that can accompany the "cash treat" – handouts with talking points designed to help families open up lines of communication about money with their children.
"It takes a village to raise a child, and each of us has a responsibility when we're presented with the opportunity to talk with children and teenagers," states NFEC's CEO Vince Shorb. "This Halloween, we encourage people to help children develop positive dietary and financial behaviors by substituting cash for candy and using the opportunity to talk with kids about money."
The direct relationship between health and a person's overall financial wellness has been well-established. On average, healthy people earn more, enjoy lower medical expenses, live longer and receive more benefits as a result. The goal of this campaign is to encourage health and financial wellness.
To participate in this campaign, leverage the complimentary resources found at https://www.financialeducatorscouncil.org/cash-for-candy/ Those that support this initiative are also encouraged to follow the NFEC on Twitter at https://twitter.com/NFEC_FinEdu and search #CashForCandy.
The National Financial Educators Council is a financial education resource provider, industry advocate, and thought leader. The NFEC is committed to providing people the resources so they can make qualified financial decisions that improve their lives. Promoting advocacy campaigns designed to encourage overall physical and financial wellness is aligned with the NFEC's mission to and help people make informed financial decisions.
Contact:
Trevor Stoll
7755490213 ext 7010
[email protected]
SOURCE National Financial Educators Council
Share this article