Learn how to get the best bang for your buck at Money Smart Week

Kids can make their own piggy banks during Money Smart Week, because it's never too soon to acquire fiscal sense.

When it comes to money smarts, if you don’t have sense, you’ll be left without any cents.

That’s why Mentor Public Library is hosting a series of programs designed to help people make smart financial decisions. It’s called Money Smart Week and it runs from April 5 through 12.

It also gives everyone, from kids to seniors, a chance to learn about different financial topics in a nonthreatening, impartial environment.

It can be intimidating or even embarrassing to talk frankly about money. Some people may not feel comfortable walking into a bank and asking a lot of financial questions. Hosting these programs at the library lets you listen to and ask question of an expert on neutral ground.

The programs include:

• The 25 Biggest Money Mistakes, in which experts from the Society for Financial Awareness will explore the 25 biggest money mistakes that people make and how to avoid them. The talk will be from 6:30 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, April 8.
• Make Cents: Understanding the Long-Term Financial Commitments brings experts from three different banks to the library's Main Branch. They will demystify common banking topics for the layperson. This Q & A panel session is from 6 to 7:30 p.m. on April 10.
• Solving the Retirement Income Puzzle, where people can learn how to manage their retirement income and avoid running out of money. This talk will be from 2 to 3 p.m. on Friday, April 11.
• Show Me the Money, a special program for kids from 1 to 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 5. Children will learn about currency and make their own piggy bank.
• Duct Tape Wallet, in which teens can get creative while making their own wallets out of duct tape. The program is from 2 to 4 p.m. on April 12. 

We wanted to make sure we had Money Smart programs for kids and teens too, because it's never too soon to talk about fiscal responsibility.

Like we said before, money talk can be intimidating. But the more familiar kids are with concepts like budgeting and long-term financial commitments, the more confident and sensible they'll be with money when they grow up.

For more information on Money Smart Week at Mentor Public Library, visit www.mentorpl.org or call (440) 255-8811 ext. 215.