Teaching Kids to Save -- One Story at a Time

April is Financial Literacy Month, and banks across Wisconsin are stepping into classrooms to help kids build smart money habits early. In this episode of Local Cents, Pillar Bank team members Erik and Dawn share how they bring financial lessons to life through the Teach Kids to Save program. One of their favorite ways to start the conversation is by reading the children’s book Money Monster, which helps students understand the difference between spending and saving in a fun, relatable way. From story time to classroom discussions, and even bank tours where students get to see what they learned about, Erik and Dawn explain how these experiences spark curiosity and important conversations about money. They also share lessons they wish they had learned earlier; the thoughtful questions kids ask; and why helping young people understand money is one of the most rewarding parts of serving our communities.