April is Financial Literacy Month

a combine harvesting soy bean crops
Overview
Illinois Financial Wellness Hub
Educators and Librarians
Saving and Paying for College
People with Disabilities and Their Families
Adults and Financial Wellness
Older Adults, Retirement, and Fraud Prevention
Illinois Personal Finance Challenge

Learning to Make the Most of Your Money

April is Financial Literacy Month, a time for people of all ages to build brighter financial futures.

Research highlights that building financial knowledge can make a meaningful difference, helping individuals better manage debt and grow their emergency savings.

This is why my office is committed year-round to providing free, accessible financial literacy resources for Illinois residents. From young learners to adults, we offer resources designed to support the entire family on their financial journey.

Adults and Teens 

We are proud to offer all Illinois residents access to free personal finance tools and resources through the Illinois Financial Wellness Hub, powered by Enrich. The FinWell Hub platform is easily accessible from a computer or mobile device and provides on-demand resources to fit any schedule.  

In addition to an online library of over 120 financial topics, Illinoisans also have free access to Certified Personal Finance Coaches. Create a free account today and tell your friends!  
(Account holders must be at least 13 years old.) 

Parents 

Parents, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau has a reading list for you and your child. The list arranges books by age group and key ideas, and each book has a parent reading guide. Your child can also learn about money in a fun and meaningful way by playing digital games on the American Library Association website.   

Our office has created activity packets for kids. For first grade through middle school, the packets are organized by grade level and include a summary describing the covered topics. For sixth through eighth grade, we created topic-based packets, including budgeting, banking, and credit. These packets are versatile and can be used by parents, teachers, librarians, or other caregivers. Enjoy individual activities, group games, conversation starters, puzzles, and more. 

 
We hope these resources help you have engaging money conversations with your family during Financial Literacy Month and beyond. Happy learning!  

Librarians

Highlight books about money and offer programming that connects patrons of all ages with free personal finance resources. If you have any questions about the library toolkit, contact Maggie Owen at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov. 

Story Time for Ages 3-5

Our Money Minded Illinois program offers story times for ages 3-5. You can host your own early childhood story time using materials provided below, including a full lesson plan, story time activity packet, and a take-home packet. You can also request an Illinois State Treasurer’s Office staff member to visit your library and lead story time (subject to availability). 

The Berenstain Bears’ Dollars and Sense
By: Stan & Jan Berenstain

Ella Earns Her Own Money
By: Lisa Bullard

Resources

Children’s Reading Lists for Book Displays

Book displays can be a great way to encourage patrons to select a book about financial education concepts.

Activity Packets by Grade

The Treasurer’s Office has created activity packets from content in our standards-based curriculum. Packets are organized by grade level (first grade through middle school) and include a cover page listing the topics. To cover a range of basics for 6th–8th grade, we created topic-based packets. Packets can be incorporated into a program (ex. game tables organized by grade level), placed next to a book display, sent home with families, and more.

Download materials from the Activity Packets:

Teens & Adults 

The Illinois State Treasurer’s Office proudly offers all Illinois residents free access to personal finance tools and resources through the Illinois Financial Wellness Hub. The FinWell Hub platform is easy to use on a computer or mobile device, providing on-demand resources to fit any schedule. In addition to an online library covering over 120 financial topics, Illinoisans can also connect with Certified Personal Finance Coaches at no cost. Print this flyer to promote this free resource. 

Passport Challenge 

Programs for teens and adults can be built around the FinWell Hub, which is open to users aged 13 and older. To support this, the Treasurer’s Office created the Personal Finance Foundations Passport. Patrons complete FinWell Hub courses and earn “stamps” in their passport along the way.

Libraries can use the passport as part of a prize drawing by offering one entry for each completed course. Participants can also download a certificate upon completing a course if proof of completion is required.

You can download either a full-color or printer-friendly version of the passport from the FinWell Hub section below.

Goal Setting Workshop 

Your library could provide a financial goal-setting workshop for adults, linking back to tools and resources on the FinWell Hub. A goal-setting worksheet with SMART goal examples is available for download in the FinWell Hub section below. Presentation slides are available if you would like to host a workshop – contact Maggie Owen at mowen@illinoistreasurer.gov for access. 

We hope these materials inspire you to provide financial literacy programming in your local library.

Parents

Reading List

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has created the Money as You Grow Bookshelf for Parents and Caregivers. The list labels books by age group and key ideas covered in the story. Each book also comes with a parent reading guide to help you teach your child money management skills as you read. 

The Treasurer’s Office has created activity packets from content in our standards-based curriculum. Packets are organized by grade level (first grade through middle school) and include a cover page listing the topics. To cover a range of basics for 6th–8th grade, we created topic-based packets. Download materials from the Activity Packets section below.

We hope these materials help you have engaging money conversations with your children during Financial Literacy Month and beyond.

Teachers

Curriculum for Elementary & Middle School 

In 2018, the Treasurer’s Office created the Money Minded Illinois curriculum books for first grade through middle school. Lessons were created to align with Illinois State Board of Education standards and incorporate inquiry-based learning. You can download free PDF versions of curriculum books from our website or contact MoneyMinded@illinoistreasurer.gov to request a print copy. 

FinWell Hub for High School Students 

The Illinois Financial Wellness Hub (FinWell Hub) is an online platform with dynamic tools and courses that provides free personal finance resources to all Illinois residents. The Treasurer’s Office created resource guides to help high school teachers more easily integrate the platform into the classroom. Guides for personal finance foundations and college prep can be downloaded below. FinWell Hub users must be 13 years or older.

The Personal Finance Foundations Passport was created to add a fun component. Students complete courses on the FinWell Hub and receive “stamps” in their “passport.” Certificates can be downloaded after completing a course, so teachers can hold students accountable and assign courses as homework. Download a full-color or printer-friendly version of the passport from the FinWell Hub section below.

We hope these materials help you more easily incorporate financial literacy learning in your classroom.