Summer Money Camps are just around the corner

The official start to summer this year is Wednesday, June 20. If you’re a student in the Spokane area or North Idaho, chances are you’ll already be out of school and enjoying summer vacation.

Students grade six through eight, why not consider Money Camp? It’s a great place to learn the tools to help you make the most of your money. There are prizes, food, and t-shirt giveaways. Best of all, it’s free!

We have not one, but two camps taking place in June. Click here for more details and registration information.

Tuesday, June 19
9 a.m. to noon
ITT Technical Institute
13518 E. Indiana Ave.
Spokane Valley, WA 99216

Friday, June 22
9 a.m. to noon
Kroc Center
1765 W. Golf Course Rd.
Coeur d’Alene, ID 83815

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Post Falls Mayor’s Youth Awards coming soon

Attend the Mayor’s Youth Awards, hosted by the Post Falls Mayor’s Youth Commission to see which youth residing in Post Falls are recognized for their outstanding involvement in the community. Being recognized for a variety of things from heroism to community service, these youth are an integral part of the Post Falls community.

Event information:
Thursday, May 17
6 p.m.
Q’emiln Park Pavilion
12201 West Parkway Drive, Post Falls, Idaho

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How old is that dollar bill?

By: Keith

Most things you buy won’t last forever.

Think about it: When you purchase a new pair of shoes, there are only so many steps you can take before the soles wear out. New cars only run well for a certain amount of time before they need repairs. Sporting equipment, like basketballs, tennis rackets or golf clubs, can be used many times but will eventually wear out and need to be replaced.

What about paper money? Does paper money ever wear out? Can you still use an 85-year-old $5 bill to buy an ice cream cone?

Yes, paper money does wear out.

According to the Federal Reserve (the central banking system of the United States), the average lifespan of a $1 bill is 4.8 years and a $100 bill is expected to last for 17.9 years. Bills of smaller denominations tend to wear our faster because they’re passed around more frequently. Paper money is fairly durable because it’s made by using a blend of 75 percent cotton and 25 percent linen. It’s a good thing it isn’t actually made of paper because it would wear out even faster.

Yes, you can use an old bill to make a purchase today.

The only thing that makes a paper bill unusable is its physical condition. So go ahead and spend that old $5 bill to buy an ice cream cone. As long as it’s still in good shape, you can use it. If you ever run across a bill that you think might be worn out, you can simply ask a teller at a credit union (like STCU) or a bank. If the teller confirms that it is worn out they can help you exchange it for a better one.

Worn-out money is shredded and sometimes recycled. It can be used as a form of insulation, as fuel pellets, and in the production of countertops. Ford Motor Company has even taken interest and is experimenting to make car parts with it. Cool!

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Spring clean-a-thon

By: Janessa

The sun is shining, the birds are chirping, and you’re ready to finally play outside after a long winter cooped up inside. Spring is finally here!

And so is spring cleaning, that annual ritual most families do when the weather starts to get warmer.

Spring cleaning isn’t all fun, but if you do it with your family you might find yourself having a blast.

Your parents probably have a bunch of projects in mind, so you might start by asking them what they need help with. Maybe you can get the whole family involved by making it a competition — whoever gets their chores done first gets a prize.

Even though you’re young, there is a lot around the house you can help with. You can take the cushions off the couch and vacuum it out. You might find some spare change for your Money Jar!

Do you have any clothes that you’ve outgrown? You can make a bag of these and donate them to a place like Goodwill, who will resell them to support their charitable work, or maybe you can hand them down to a younger family member. You can also donate any toys you have outgrown.

In the yard, you can enjoy the nice weather while doing chores by picking up any sticks or raking up pine needles that might have fallen before the grass gets mowed for the first time.

Cleaning isn’t always fun, but by helping your family with spring cleaning, your home will be ready for the exciting summer months that are just around the corner, and your parents will appreciate your willingness to help.

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