This article was sponsored by Navy Federal Credit Union. Navy Federal Credit Union is federally insured by NCUA.
April is the Month of the Military Child, a time to recognize the resilience and contributions of military children. This Month of the Military Child, we celebrate the sacrifices and strengths of these young heroes by highlighting financial habits, allowances and resources to help them thrive.
Military children grow up with unique challenges and opportunities, moving frequently and adapting to new environments. As they navigate these transitions, equipping them with strong financial skills can help them manage change and build a secure future.
Take Advantage of special offers to celebrate your military children during Navy Federal’s ‘Youth Week’
As part of Month of the Military Child, Navy Federal honors military kids through their weeklong ‘Youth Week’ celebration, which takes place from April 14-21, offering families valuable resources and special offers to help young members build a strong financial future.
Keep an eye out from Navy Federal for resources and special promotions available during Youth Week, including the following:
- Minor Membership offer: Open a new minor membership for your kid (ages 18 and under) and they’ll receive a $251 bonus!
- Prepaid Debit card offer: Navy Federal’s GO Prepaid card is a safe and secure way to teach your child how to budget and manage money. Open a new Go Prepaid card and load with $100, and they’ll deposit an extra $10.2
- Checking feature: Navy Federal also offers free Campus Checking for members ages 14-24, with ATM fee rebates3, no service fees and no minimum balance requirements.
- Special certificate: Help your child build their savings with our sky-high certificate rates! Open any new certificate by April 21st for a $10 bonus. And you could get another $10 when you enroll in digital statements for your new certificate.4
Build smart financial habits early
Financial literacy isn’t just about money—it’s about responsibility, planning and decision-making. Parents and guardians play a crucial role in shaping their children’s financial habits from a young age. Here are some tips to help get your kid financially literate:
- Start with the basics: Introducing concepts like saving, spending and giving can help kids understand the value of money. Using a classic piggy bank or digital savings app, parents can teach kids how to allocate money wisely.
- Encourage goal setting: Whether it’s saving for a video game, a bicycle or future college expenses, setting financial goals helps kids develop discipline and patience.
- Make a fun kid budget: Parents can involve their children in small budgeting activities that teach them the value of a dollar. One way parents can do this is by setting aside a certain amount for an already budgeted item for their children, such as back-to-school supplies, a new pair of shoes or even spending money on a family vacation. Give the allotted amount of money to your child to make the purchase in cash. The deal is that they can keep whatever money they have left over. This hands-on experience reinforces the importance of making wise financial choices and allows the child to take ownership in the items they choose to purchase. They also might see a reward in left over money if they choose to spend their money wisely.
Use allowances as a tool for teaching money management
An allowance can be a great way for kids to learn money management in a low-risk environment. Military families, with their frequent moves and changes, can use allowances as a consistent financial learning tool for their children. Try out some of these money-teaching tools:
- Earned allowances: Consider tying allowances to age-appropriate chores. This teaches kids that money is earned through effort and responsibility.
- Save, spend, give system: Encourage children to divide their allowance into three categories—saving for future needs, spending on something they want and giving to a cause or charity they care about.
- Banking for kids: Many banks and credit unions offer youth savings accounts with no fees and special incentives. Opening an account in their name can help children become familiar with banking basics. Consider child-friendly account options, like Navy Federal’s GO Prepaid card.
- Manage credit early: Help your kids manage credit by adding your child as an authorized user to your credit card account. As the primary account holder and parent, you can set spending limits on the account while helping them build credit.
- Get Ready for College: Getting ready to send your student off to college? Student loans can help bridge the gap when federal loans, scholarships and grants aren’t enough.
- Form Smart Money Habits: Set your child up for success with the checking account that has it all. With Free Campus Checking from Navy Federal, they’ll get ATM fee rebates, pay no monthly service fee and enjoy no minimum balance requirement.
This Month of the Military Child, let’s celebrate and support military kids by equipping them with the financial knowledge they need for a bright and successful future. Whether they’re filling up a piggy bank or cashing their first paycheck, these young heroes deserve the best financial foundation possible.
1 Offer valid between 04/14/2025-04/21/2025 and can expire anytime without prior notice. To open a minor membership account, the person opening the account must be an existing member and a parent, grandparent, or guardian of the minor. To receive the $25 bonus, the minor must be under 18 years of age and eligible to join. This offer may not be combined with any other new member offers at the time of account opening. Eligibility is open to members of the Coast Guard, all Department of Defense uniformed personnel, reservists, Active Duty, retired, Veterans, Army and Air National Guard, DoD civilian employees, contractors, and their immediate family. $5 minimum balance is required to open and maintain membership savings account and to obtain bonus. If the minor’s new membership savings account has not been funded at the time the bonus is credited, we will hold the minimum $5 share required for their membership. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) 0.25%, effective 01/25/2025. Fees may reduce earnings, and rates may change. Bonus deposited into the minor’s membership savings account within 14 business days of account opening. Accounts must be in good standing for credits to be processed. Recipient is solely responsible for any personal tax liability arising out of the acceptance of this incentive. Offer not available via mobile app.
2 Offer applies to new Go Prepaid cards issued between 04/14/2025 – 04/21/2025. To be eligible for a credit, you must load at least $100 by 04/30/2025. Please allow up to 8 weeks after 04/30/2025 for the credit to post to your account and appear on your periodic statement. Limit of one (1) $10 credit per cardholder. The $10 credit will be posted to your Navy Federal prepaid card. The account must be open at the time the credit is posted. Navy Federal reserves the right to end or modify this offer at any time. The value of the reward may be reported on the appropriate IRS forms and may be considered taxable income to you. Please consult your tax adviser regarding your specific situation.
3 Up to $10.00 in ATM fee rebates per statement period.
4 Offers valid April 14-April 21, 2025. Navy Federal reserves the right to end or modify this offer at any time. To qualify for the New Share Certificate opening $10 bonus, primary certificate holder must be under age 18, and the Share Certificate must be opened during the promotional period. Offer does not include IRA or ESA Certificates. Share Certificate owner(s) under age 18 must have a joint owner age 18 or older on the account. To qualify for the Combined Certificates & IRAs digital statement $10 bonus, primary minor member or joint owner must select Digital Statement Delivery of the minor’s Combined Certificates & IRAs statements no later than May 21, 2025. The qualifying bonus(es) will be credited to the minor’s share savings account by June 30, 2025. Penalties apply for early withdrawals from certificate accounts. Members should consult a tax consultant or obtain legal advice regarding any tax implications related to the dividend. Navy Federal does not provide tax advice. Offers applicable to both new and existing minor memberships and new and existing minor certificate owners. Limited to one New Share Certificate opening $10 bonus and one Combined Certificates & IRAs digital statement $10 bonus per member. Minors may receive a total of $20 in bonuses. Standard Share Certificates have a $1,000 minimum deposit. EasyStartSM/Special EasyStart/10-Month Special Share Certificates have a $50 minimum deposit. Annual Percentage Yield (APY) varies based on term selected and can be found at navyfederal.org/rates. Taxes related to the bonuses are the member’s responsibility.