Used Underwear or None at All? "Would You Rather" Uses Humor to Teach Personal Finance

NEW YORK, Jan. 28, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The No. 1 fear of young people? Paying for college.[1] According to a poll by Young Money, more than three in four students feel they don't know enough about personal finance.  That's why DoSomething.org and H&R Block Dollars & Sense are joining forces for the second year to help by giving teens personal finance tips through a hilarious campaign called "Would You Rather."

"Would You Rather" uses an interactive SMS text message experience that asks teens to choose between multiple penny-pinching situations. Since, on average, teens send more than 3,300 texts a month and text messages have a 99 percent open rate, it's an effective medium to reach young people.

Beginning January 28, teens can challenge their friends to the experience and engage in a conversation around crazy ways to save money. For example, participants will be asked, "Would you rather A) take a date to the drive thru; or B) pick your date up on your Razor scooter?" The experience is followed by action steps and tips to get teens thinking about and saving for their financial future.

To help raise awareness of the issue and encourage young people to participate in the campaign, actor Justin Long recorded a public service announcement.  The PSA can be viewed here.

"I love this campaign because the situations are hilarious and it makes me want to learn how to save some cash," said Justin Long. "My favorite scenario: What would you rather do to save money? Only buy used underwear from a thrift shop or never wear underwear? Guess which one I picked…"

Together, DoSomething.org and H&R Block are making an "adult" topic more accessible for young people.

"Would You Rather' provides a fun way for teens to interact with friends and think about the realities of their financial future at a young age," said Kathy Collins, chief marketing officer at H&R Block. "We're taking two topics many of us would rather avoid thinking about – saving and financial fitness – and making them relatable."

To participate in the campaign, teens can text "START" to 38383 or visit dosomething.org/wyr.

About DoSomething.org:
We love teens. They are creative, active, wired…and frustrated that our world is so messed up. DoSomething.org harnesses that awesome energy and unleashes it on causes teens care about. Almost every week, we launch a new national campaign. The call to action is always something that has a real impact and doesn't require money, an adult, or a car. With a goal of 5 million active members by 2015, DoSomething.org is one of the largest organizations in the US for teens and social change. Join us at www.DoSomething.org.  

About H&R Block Dollars & Sense
Funded by H&R Block Inc. (NYSE: HRB), the world's largest consumer tax services provider, H&R Block Dollars & Sense provides educators and students with personal finance curriculum and resources to increase financial literacy among teens. Since 2009, H&R Block Dollars & Sense has awarded teens and educators with more than $4 million in grants and scholarships. For more information, visit hrblockdollarsandsense.org.

[1] DoSomething.org National Index on Young People and Volunteering, 2012

SOURCE DoSomething.org