FORT WAYNE — Consumer Credit Counseling Service of Northeastern Indiana decided to sponsor a poster contest to promote financial literacy among student populations in attempts to grab their attention at an early age.

The contest is for area elementary through high school students and is in conjunction with Financial Literacy Month in April. Officials from Consumer Credit Counseling will choose the poster conveying the theme "$mart Money Choices = A Brighter Future." Watch the video here.

"It's designed to help introduce students to money management at a young age," said Michael LeClear, Consumer Credit Counseling Service Vice President. "By using this poster contest it's a way to get them aware of money management and allow them to showcase their creative talents."

Students should visit MoneyWisePosterContest.org for more details or call Hubie Ashcraft at Consumer Credit Counseling 432-8200, extension 3307. Students should turn in the posters to the Fort Wayne agency by Feb. 15. Winners from each category will win $100 savings bond and winners will go on to the national contest.

Consumer Credit Counseling is a non-profit community service organization helping people solve financial problems. It has a local board of directors and has been around since 1965.

LeClear said the poster contest is one way to warn people about debt consolidation companies.

"Did your parents ever sit down and teach you money management," he quizzed. "If they're not in tune with it, they're going to pass it on to their kids. They're going to learn the hard way."

Vincent Frecker said his parents set up a checking account and debit card in his name. Earnings from a summer job went into the account, which Frecker said he manages on his own.

"It's really important to know," the Bishop Luers High School senior said. "Make sure you know what your bank account is, what services are available and what you're getting out of it."

Luers junior Jessica Hutner said her spending money comes from gifts.

"I've always been an independent person so I pretty much manage my own money," she said. "What I get at Christmas and my birthday has to last me through the whole year."

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