The start of a new school year is once again upon us. It seems like this time of year always sneaks up on us and we have much to do to prepare the kids for school. There are the necessary enrollment dates, the shopping trip to buy new school clothes, and of course, that last minute visit to the store to pick up the extra folder or notebook that was left off the school supplies list. However, this fall I hope you will consider adding one more detail to your agenda: getting your child registered for, my first ever, Money$mart Financial Management Camp.
Money$mart Financial Management Camp is the newest opportunity for Kansas students entering the 7th or 8th grade. It is a weekend camp held October 22nd-24th, 2004 at Rock Springs 4-H Camp near Junction City. My office is teaming up with the Kansas Credit Union Association and your local credit union to teach kids the valuable financial skills they will need to secure bright futures. In addition to the financial programs that the camp offers, students will be taught essential leadership skills and will experience many other exciting activities such as canoeing, hiking, swimming, archery and horse-back riding.
I believe that teaching our children how to manage and save their money, make intelligent financial decisions, and set goals for themselves makes a difference in how responsible they are as future investors and consumers. How often have we wanted to purchase new belongings, obtain additional education, or take a vacation, but found there just wasn't enough money to fund it? Enabling your child to learn these important financial lessons while they're young may greatly improve their ability to financially support their dreams down the road.
So if your child is a 7th or 8th grader, make sure when you are checking off your to do list, you don't forget to reserve your child's place in Money$mart Financial Management Camp. I will be there with my own 7th grade daughter, so please come join us! Even if your child is not the age the camp is intended for, remember to begin teaching them financial skills while they're young. It's never too early to explain aspects of budgeting, savings and credit, or to demonstrate the value of money. To find the application and additional details about Money$mart Financial Management Camp, please check out our web page at www.kansasstatetreasurer.com.
An equally exciting event for my office is the approaching Kansas State Fair. The fair will be held September 10th-19th in Hutchinson, Kansas. My staff is eagerly making preparations for this yearly opportunity for Kansans to search for unclaimed property.
What is unclaimed property? It can be anything from inactive savings or checking accounts and uncashed checks, to stock shares and bonds, insurance proceeds, or utility deposits. Also, Kansas law requires that all unclaimed or abandoned safe deposit box contents be turned over to my office for safekeeping until the proper beneficiary can be located. Businesses, state and local governments, and banks all provide us with these types of property, and we try to find the rightful owners.
