Naperville students get a lesson in how to handle their finances

Saving the environment wasn't the only green movement making waves this week in Naperville.

As part of Money Smart Week, Naperville North and Naperville Central high school students got a lesson in finances from the experts.

Superintendent Alan Leis told students he wants them to "not only have the skills to succeed in college in terms of the academics, but to understand the money part as well."

The current state of the economy "comes down to people not knowing their numbers," according to Alice Wood, a Naperville North alumna and founder of Wealth Watchers International.

"People just don't know how much money they can spend without getting into trouble," she said.

Wealth Watchers and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago both hope to help change that through educational programs.

Even students will be able to reap the benefits of a stronger economy, said Charles Evans, president and CEO of the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago.

"As the economy continues to grow it's one that creates jobs, providing many opportunities for you this summer when you're working, and then beyond when you're working full-time, and it increases the standard of living for our citizens," he told students.

He and Wood advised them to steer clear of credit card debt and to instead build their savings accounts.

"Savings is very important," Evans said. "You want to be independent, and that involves a tremendous amount of personal responsibility."

For some, learning about finances is a matter of trial and error, Evans said. He learned the hard way himself when he bounced a $1 check while in college.

"Most people make mistakes … but you have to try to learn from those mistakes," he said.

In addition to the talks, students got several chances to earn some money at the assembly. Three of them spent 30 seconds each in a money booth, trying to grab as much cash as they could as it swirled around them.

The schools also presented awards to students for posters and videos they created about money management.

Winners got their choice of $100 in cash or a savings bond that would be worth about $300 when it matures. Finalists each received a $25 gift certificate for Rosati's Pizza.

Money Smart winners are :

• Best poster/slogan: Jack Stadelman, Naperville Central, and Adam Loritz, Naperville North.

• Best actress: Mikaela Madelinski, Naperville North.

• Best actor: David Reyes, Naperville North.

• Best picture: "What Does it Mean to be Money Smart, Do You Ask?": David Reyes, Lara Musser, Jon Lascala and Ashley Edwards, Naperville North.