MSU Extension 4-H Youth Money Management

In today’s world, we often pay with plastic cards instead of cash, but not everyone understands how they work. Many people, especially those new to the U.S., might not know the differences between a gift card, a debit card and a credit card. This lack of knowledge can lead to missed financial opportunities, overspending, unnecessary fees or even debt.

To help educate English learners in the Kent County community, Michigan State University Extension and Michigan 4-H delivered a financial literacy program last month to local youth.

Delivering the program: a unique experience

From the start, we knew this session with young people who are learning English would require a different approach. We needed to be creative in how we communicated key financial concepts. We relied on visual aids, interactive activities and relatable examples to make the information clear and engaging.

One of the most memorable moments was when we used real-life scenarios to help participants distinguish between different types of cards. For example, we acted out a situation where someone received a gift card for their birthday but wasn’t careful enough to keep that card safe so nobody else would use it.

Explaining credit cards and interest rates—a complex topic even for fluent English speakers – was an interesting challenge. To simplify it, we used a storytelling approach, using several visual aids and comparing credit cards to borrowing money from a friend and having to return it later with a little extra. Seeing their faces light up in understanding was incredibly rewarding!

Breaking it down: gift cards, debit cards and credit cards

Throughout the session, we focused on three common types of cards:

• Gift cards – Prepaid cards that can be used like cash but only at specific stores or for limited amounts. They are great for budgeting but must be used before they expire.
• Debit cards – Connected to a bank account, these cards allow users to spend only what they have. It’s important to track spending to avoid overdraft fees.
• Credit cards – These cards allow borrowing money up to a certain limit. If not paid back on time, interest fees can grow quickly, leading to debt.

We reinforced these concepts using the Spin Wheel Challenge, where participants spun the wheel to answer a question or complete a task, such as ‘hug yourself’ or ‘dance’. The questions addressed topics related to the use of gift, debit and credit cards and were answered as a team. By the end, participants not only understood how each card worked but also felt more confident about managing their finances in real-life situations. 

One of the most rewarding aspects of this experience was witnessing their transformation from hesitant learners to confident participants, eager to ask questions and share their thoughts. It reinforced the idea that financial literacy is not just about numbers—it’s about empowerment and independence.

Key strategies to engage with language learners

Working with participants who are still learning English requires a thoughtful approach to ensure comprehension. MSU Extension and Michigan 4-H recommend the following approaches with language learners:

• Keep in mind meaningful experiences. Connecting financial literacy to real-life situations made the content more relatable and easier to understand.
• Visual resources are a must! Video, infographics and hands-on materials played a crucial role in reinforcing key concepts.
• Having a slow rhythm while talking always helps for attention span. Since the participants were also learning English, speaking at a steady pace and pausing for questions improved engagement.
• Storytelling, acting or modeling are very useful activities. Demonstrating real-life scenarios helped bridge the language gap and make abstract concepts more tangible.

By using these strategies, you too can create an inclusive and interactive learning environment that allows participants to gain valuable financial knowledge while also strengthening their language skills. 

To help youth learn the important skill of money management, MSU Extension is making financial education fun through hands-on workshops on topics such as goal-setting, decision-making, budgeting, saving, investing and borrowing, as well as financial services, earning potential and risk management.

At MSU Extension, we understand that diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements to our work and are vital to the organizational culture and programmatic success. 

MSU Extension creates opportunities and builds knowledgeable communities to make Michigan a strong, prosperous and great state in which to live.

To learn more on engaging with Hispanic/Latinx and other multicultural audiences, please contact Patricia Monterrosa, MSU Extension educator (Chispa 4-H), and Adriana Sierra, Kent County 4-H program coordinator.