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It’s a Job to Get a Job!

Resumes, applications, and interviews, oh my! Hunting for your first job is a feat in itself, and it pays to be prepared. Biz Kid$ Season 5 has just begun to air around the country, and one of our new episodes, “It’s a Job to Get a Job,” focuses on the tools you’ll need in your toolbelt before you start on your job hunting adventure.

Before you begin your trek through the employment wilderness, you’ll need a resume in hand. If you’ve never written a resume, don’t worry. There are plenty of resources available to help you. About.com has an example of a resume for a high school student.  Your honors, awards, and even small jobs will let your personality and work ethic shine. Don’t forget to use spell check!

Now that you’ve completed your resume, it’s time to submit some applications. There are loads of job postings online, but introducing yourself to someone in-person, or using your personal connections are never out of date. Stand out from the pack of applicants, and you may land yourself a job.

In most jobs, an in-person interview will be a requirement. Nervous? Don’t be. Read up on the most commonly asked interview questions, and go in with confidence. Being 5 minutes early is a necessity.

This may seem like a lot to take in, but rest assured, every working individual has been in your shoes before. Just be glad that you aren’t applying for one of these jobs.

You have what it takes, Biz Kid! Come back and tell us about your interview experiences in the comments below.

A man standing in front of a group of people.

Your Dream Job is Closer than You Think

We all have dream jobs. Perhaps you want to be an astronaut, or a movie star, or the President of the United States. Chances are, when you dream about the career you wish you had, you think it’s impossible. But what if that dream job is closer than you think?

What we often fail to realize is that, in every industry, there are jobs that no one thinks about. We call these “hidden careers.” Your stepping stone into the music industry, for example, could be by operating the sound board or driving a tour bus for a major rock group.

See if you can guess who the following famous people are. Here’s a clue: they all started out in less-than-glamorous jobs. (For answers, see below.)

  1. This man was a glove and necktie salesman who decided to start designing his own ties and selling them to Wall Street bankers.
  2. This person tarted out as an assistant video coordinator for the Denver Nuggetts. Now, he’s the head coach of a major NBA team.
  3. This woman was a casting director for an NBC sitcom. Now, she’s one of the show’s stars.

 

Listen up, Biz Kids: your dream job doesn’t have to just be a dream! Do some research and find out how you can get your foot in the door in the industry of your choosing. And remember us when you are orbiting the Earth in your spaceship!

For more on those unlikely stepping stones, check out clips from the Biz Kid$ episode, “Hidden Careers.”

 

Quiz Answers:

  1. Ralph Lauren
  2. Mike Brown, LA Lakers
  3. Phyllis Smith, The Office

Newsletter: March, 2012

“I saw a bank that said “24 Hour Banking”, but I don’t have that much time.” – Steven Wright
The Vault March 2012: Bank on it
Do you keep your money under your mattress? In a jar? In an oak treasure chest buried on a sandy desert isle and marked with an X?
Or do you keep it in a bank where it’s safe—and can even pay you back? Make banking a habit and it will serve you for life. Learn how to get the most from a relationship with a bank in this issue of The Vault—only from Biz Kid$.
Dance of the dollars
Check out this exclusive Biz Kid$ video about a couple of ballroom dancers who bank their earnings. Think kids can’t benefit from a bank? These fast-footed savers are under 10 years old!
3 ways banks can help you be a better Biz Kid
  1. They pay you back. Savings accounts pay you interest for letting the bank lend your money out. Frankly, right now interest rates on savings accounts stink—they’re usually far below 1%. It’s better than nothing, however, and interest rates will go up eventually.
  2. They keep your money safe.  Money in banks and credit unions is insured by the federal government for up to $250,000 per account. Even if your bank goes kaput, your money will be there for you.
  3. They make life easier. Trying to pay your bills in cash is almost impossible these days. Find a bank with online bill payment services and you can take care of your obligations with a few simple clicks.
Shop around
You can choose a big giant global megabank, a regional or local bank, or a credit union. Bigger banks often have more ATMs and may have a wider range of services, but they tend to charge higher fees and pay lower interest rates. Do your homework—compare banks in your area and find the one the works best for you.
Consider a credit union
Credit unions are not-for-profit. Instead of giving extra money to investors, they give it back to members in the form of higher interest rates on deposits, lower interest rates on loans, and lower fees. Most of them make a wide variety of loans including auto loans and student loans.Find a credit union that you are eligible to join and you could save yourself a pretty penny.
How banks make money
There are many kinds of banks, but the ones we’re talking about are “depository institutions.” That means they take deposits. They make money off the “spread”—not the kind you put on a sandwich, but the difference interest rate they pay on deposits and the interest rate they charge on loans.
Fewer fees, please
Banks also make money on fees when you overspend your checking account, don’t follow certain rules, or pay your credit card bill late. Fees are a big fat waste of money, and young people pay a disproportionate share of them. Seek a bank that keeps them low and fair, and make sure you understand when and why you’ll get dinged.

Fast Facts
  • The first credit unions were established in Germany in the 1850s and were known as “people’s banks.” They were part of a global movement to establish cooperatives to serve working folks.
  • As of the fourth quarter of 2011, the four largest banks held $3.6 trillion in deposits. That’s a whole lot of cheddar!
  • The bank runs dramatized in the movie “It’s a Wonderful Life” would not happen if today’s FDIC insurance had covered George Bailey’s Savings & Loan.
  • The largest ever cash robbery occurred at the Dunbar Armored facility in Los Angeles when $18.9 million was stolen in an elaborate inside job.
Get your Biz Kid$ gear here!
Visit our new store for ways to stash your cash until you can get to your bank or credit union!
A passport for the piggy club.

Introducing: The Biz Kid$ Piggy Hunt

The Biz Kid$ episodes you know and love will soon be part of a treasure hunt for financial literacy! The Biz Kid$ Piggy Hunt is a collaboration of Biz Kid$ and Horizon Credit Union of Spokane Valley, Washington. Josh Allison of Horizon Credit Union created the treasure hunt as an opportunity to personally connect with local schools to spread the message of financial literacy in a fun and interactive way.

Students are given special piggy hunt passports to track their progress through Biz Kid$ clips and corresponding worksheets.  Teachers award signatures in students’ passports with each step of progress, and every completed worksheet provides clues as to the location of a hidden piggy bank somewhere in the school. The first student to make it through the worksheets and find the hidden piggy bank are awarded a cash prize from their local supporting credit union! 

Josh Allison and Horizon Credit Union have already launched the program at North Pines Middle School to much excitement and success!

The Biz Kid$ Piggy Hunt will soon be available to schools and credit unions across the country on a newly revamped teacher’s page. Check back in late April for updates to our teacher’s page and the Piggy Hunt.

For questions about the Piggy Hunt, you can write to us here.

Get ready for a new way to watch Biz Kid$ in the classroom!

An old black and white photo of a man in a suit.

Discovering the Next Big Idea

There is one question every entrepreneur, every investor, and every Biz Kid likely wishes they had the answer to: what is the next big idea? What is the next product, service, website, or app that will captivate the world and make me rich? Well, we don’t have that answer for you. But this week, we bring you three paths on the journey to discovering that next big idea. And don’t forget: Thomas Edison tried 10,000 times to make a lightbulb. Don’t give up.

1. Problems

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” goes the ancient phrase. Wherever there is a need or a problem, there is a group of human beings begging someone to invent a solution. Listen to the complaints of people in their everyday environments, and then invent the solution.

2. Changes is Society

When culture adapts, when society ages, or when human needs change, a window of opportunity opens. The aging of the baby boomer population has carried with it a wave of new market for innovation at every stage of life. Look for changes in trends, and be at the forefront of invention for the new needs and wants of the society.

3. Gut Instinct

For all the careful and assertive brainpower we can put into discovering the next big idea, there is still the indisputable fact that sometimes, our gut instinct is the best tool of all. World-class inventor Steve Jobs once said, “A lot of times, people don’t know what they want until you show it to them.” It was the gut instinct of Steve Jobs that brought many of Apple’s products into our homes.

So there you have it, Biz Kids. Make this week one in which you look for common problems in society and think of ways to fix them, have ears open to the trends at hand and invent to fill the new needs, and listen to your gut. In any case, dream away and make something unique for our world.

Want to learn more about the creative thinking process? Check out clips from the Biz Kid$ episode, “Escape the Box,” online here.

A piece of paper with a handwritten note on it.

Real Biz Kid$ Scripts: Money Personalities

 

At Biz Kid$, a lot of work goes into researching content for each episode. For the first episode of Season 5, the writing team found inspiration in an article about “money personalities.” What’s a money personality, you ask? Well, your money personality is the way you tend to handle your spending, saving, and buying habits.

Are you a penny-pincher in the little things but a big spender on big items? We call that being “penny wise, pound foolish.” The Biz Kid talking in the script to the left definitely fits this bill. Do you like to show off your latest purchase? That’s a “money star” move. Check out Investopedia’s quiz on money personalities here.

This week, we’re giving you a behind the scenes look at a real script from the first episode of Season 5.

As you can see, show scripts include notes about the set, lines for actors, and are often added to even as rehearsal begins. A team of hard-working writers, producers, set builders, artists, photographers, and directors run through every script prior to taping to make sure everyone is ready for the big day. This week’s script comes from Episode 501: What’s Your Money Personality? To see when the episode will air in your town, check out our tool at www.bizkids.com. Check back in the coming weeks for even more behind the scenes scripts from Biz Kid$!

Newsletter: February, 2012
The Vault February 2012: 5 Young Celebs Who Give Back
Living large, giving large
From Nashville to New York City, Hollywood to Bollywood, kid stars are some of the biggest names in entertainment today. These kids may have it all—but they still find time to give some of it away, whether it’s money, time, or mobilizing their fans. Here are 5 big stars who are making a BIG difference.
GIVEAWAY ALERT!
Get one of 5 youth-sized “Be You” t-shirts from Cymphonique for FREE! Just post on our Facebook page about a way that you give back to your community. The first 5 posters will get a shirt! Join our Facebook community here.
Kid Celeb Giver #1: Cymphonique
Master P’s daughter launched her new show How to Rock on Nickelodeon this month. “Be You” is her business that helps tween girls build positive self-esteem.Check out the exclusive Biz Kid$ video. 
Kid Celeb Giver #2: Miley Cyrus
The former Hannah Montana donates $1 of every concert ticket sold to City of Hope, a charity devoted to the prevention and cure of cancer.
Kid Celeb Giver #3: Miranda Cosgrove
TV’s highest-paid female star (of iCarly fame) has appeared in an anti-bullying campaign and does fundraising and visits children at St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital.
Kid Celeb Giver #4: Selena Gomez
The Wizards of Waverly Place star uses her earthly powers to promote positive change as America’s youngest UNICEF ambassador.
Kid Celeb Giver #5: Justin Bieber
Justin plans to help the organization Pencils of Promise build a school in an underserved area this year.
Trivia time!
Rank these big-time givers in order of how much they have donated so far.
1. Oprah Winfrey, CEO, Harpo Productions
2. Warren Buffett, President, Chairman & CEO, Berkshire Hathaway Corporation
3. Bill Gates, former CEO, Microsoft Corporation
Look to the stars for inspiration
Want to see what your favorite stars are doing to make the world a better place? Check outhttp://www.looktothestars.org. It’s got the dish on what celebs are doing to promote positive change.
How can YOU help?
There are lots of ways to make the world a better place—even if you’re still waiting for that Emmy Award.
  • Not flush with cash? Donate your used stuff–lots of charities can use it. can still donate—lots of charities need used items.
  • Vote with your dollars. Support companies that give back to causes you believe in.
  • Give your time. Volunteering is not just a great way to help, it’s a great way to meet people and even get job skills.
Trivia Answer
1. Warren Buffett, $40 billion
2. Bill Gates, $28 billion
3. Oprah Winfrey, $2.5 billion
A black and white drawing of a man holding a briefcase.

7 Tools for the Aspiring Entrepreneur

Resources for young business moguls are everywhere. Surprised? You may just not know where to look. Magazines, blogs, competitions, and foundations exist solely for the purpose of equipping young entrepreneurs to launch businesses of their own. We’ve gathered a few of our favorite resources for all of you Biz Kids right here.

1. Small Business Administration: stale but informational page devoted to young people from the US government. Find our about government programs and grants.

2. Future Business Leaders of America: National club for middle, high school, and college students.

3. DECA: high school program that empowers aspiring entrepreneurs with education in marketing and business ownership.

4. Inc. 30 Under 30: read about the most successful young entrepreneurs in the country in this annual feature of the go-to small business magazine.

5. YoungEntrepreneur.com: a young entrepreneur watering hole packed with blogs, expert advice, and featured startups.

6.  Young Money Magazine: magazine with an entire webpage devoted to entrepreneurship.

7. eschoolKIDS: workshops and coaching for the biz kid who means business.

Understand Credit Card Do’s and Don’ts

Guest post by David Bakke. David Bakke lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his young son. In addition to running a reselling business online, David writes about making smart personal finance decisions on Money Crashers.

Once you have decided on a credit card for your child, teach them how to use it effectively. Here are some things that you definitely want in your game plan and some things to avoid.

Do’s:

  • Set Limits. Although the card will have a limit of its own, setting a lower spending limit with your child will eliminate the possibility of overdraft.
  • Decide Who Will Pay. Determine whether the parent, the child, or a combination of both will be paying the balance.
  • Sign up for Online Access. Establishing online access to the account will allow you and your child to monitor spending at any time.
  • Review Statements. The monthly statement is a powerful tool to educate your children about credit cards. Reviewing it will help your child understand the benefits of managed spending, as well as avoiding interest fees.
  • Put Your Child in Charge. Encourage your child to keep all receipts to track their spending, and explain to them that they are in charge of payment due dates. Of course, paying the balance on time will ultimately be your responsibility, but instilling a sense of ownership in your child will help them gain confidence.
  • Handle Mistakes Intelligently. If the card gets lost, the spending limit is surpassed, or there are any other errors, deal with the issue in a mature and intelligent fashion. Speak in a calm voice; discuss the error and why it occurred. Encourage your child to be honest with you at all times.

Don’ts:

  • Forget to Follow Up. There is no point in allowing your child to have a credit card if you don’t follow up regarding successes or failures. This can lead to your child developing unhealthy spending habits.
  • Allow Unlimited Purchasing. Explain that they need your approval for any purchases over a certain dollar amount.
  • Overreact to Errors. If your child overspends, loses the card, or otherwise makes an error, overreacting to the situation will not be helpful. It will instead encourage your child to hide things from you, rather than be open and honest.
  • Let Them Make the Same Mistakes You Did. Entrusting your child with a credit card is a big step. Don’t miss out on this golden opportunity to teach them effective money management. If you have had problems in the past handling credit, be on the lookout for these issues before they arise. If you have had trouble saving, be sure to teach your kids how to save money to ensure they don’t make the same mistakes that you did.

Final Thoughts

When teaching your children about credit cards, focus on their positive aspects. They are convenient, and you can actually make money if you choose and responsibly use one of the best cash back credit cards. However, you still need to teach them the dangers of credit cards and how costly they can be if misused. If you focus on the steps to take to enjoy the benefits, you will be setting up your children for a lifetime of responsible and practical credit card usage.

What ideas do you have for teaching kids how to use credit cards? Do you have any tips to instill proper money management principles in your children?

A man is holding a bunch of credit cards.

Choose the Best Credit Card for Your Child

Guest post by David Bakke. David Bakke lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his young son. In addition to running a reselling business online, David writes about making smart personal finance decisions on Money Crashers.

 

The best credit card to choose for your child depends on what you are trying to accomplish. There are five basic options:

  • Debit. With this type of card, your child will need a checking account unless you get one that is tied to yours. The advantage here is that there is no borrowing involved, and therefore no interest or late payment fees (though other fees may apply). Bear in mind that using a debit card instead of a credit card will not build credit history.
  • Secured Credit. A secured credit card is typically tied to a savings account, which means missed payments are covered as long as you have sufficient funds. A deposit is paid to the issuer, who then issues a credit card with a spending limit of anywhere from 50% to 100% of the deposit. Your child can build credit history with this option. However, these cards typically have high interest rates.
  • Traditional Credit Card in Their Name. This is another option to build credit for your child. However, by doing so, you put yourself at risk regarding their spending decisions. Make sure that you are comfortable with your child’s overall level of responsibility before going this route. There are a variety of credit cards for students to consider.
  • Authorized Credit Card. Adding your child as an authorized user to one of your credit card accounts may be the most convenient option, as you can complete the process in a matter of minutes. You can decrease your exposure to potential overspending by choosing a card with a lower spending limit. If the account is kept in good standing, your child’s credit history will benefit.
  • Prepaid Credit. With this option, parents apply for a prepaid card in their child’s name, and the card becomes active when money is deposited into the account. When the balance becomes low, more money can be added. Prepaid credit cards are a secure option, as spending is limited to the amount of money deposited in the card’s account, and there are no high interest rates or overdraft fees. However, you cannot build a credit history with a prepaid card.

If your goal is to build credit history for your child, choose a secured card, co-sign for a credit card, or add them to one of yours. If you’re more concerned about safety, then go with a pre-paid credit or debit card.

This is part 2 in a series of 3 by guest blogger David Bakke. Check back next week for “Understanding Credit Card Do’s and Don’ts” 

Newsletter: January, 2012
The Vault, January 2012: What do to with a windfall
A fat birthday envelope from Grandma…winning a prize…finding a $20 bill on the ground…wowie zowie!  You got a windfall! A windfall is a chunk of change that comes unexpectedly.
When you get a windfall, it’s likely your first thought is, “What should I spend it on?” You’re not alone. Lottery winners are twice as likely as the general population to go bankrupt!
While there’s nothing wrong with treating yourself, consider other options as well—especially if the windfall is large. Investing a wad of cash now can bring you big returns in the future.
Video of the Month
Waiting for a windfall? Maximize your allowance instead! Here’s Lady NaNa with some good advice–in musical form…
Biz Kid$ Interview

13 year olds Jordan Williams and Brandon Iverson operate two businesses: Kids Toys Inc. (which they started at age 10) and Making Money for Teens where they sell CDs that teach teens about financial topics like investing and starting a business (

check out their Web site,Facebook page, and Twitter feed.

 

They got a windfall from their successful business and decided to invest it.


How do you manage everything?
Jordan: It’s a lot of work having to manage school, sports, and business at the same time, but it’s a good experience for later in life.
So, your businesses turns a good profit.
Brandon: Yes, plus we save money from chores, the business, and even a couple of acting roles.
How do you keep yourselves from just spending it all?
Jordan: We have to discipline ourselves. Since we run a business, we have to make sure everything is paid for first—CDs, Web site fees, and so on.
Brandon: Sometimes saving is hard when you want that latest iPod or iPad. But you have to look to the future. Having a business makes you more aware of that.
So you decided to do something other than buy stuff.
Jordan: We wanted to have money in the future for college expenses or to buy a car or whatever. We started doing research with our dads which type of investment. In the beginning of last year we both looked into a mutual fund, the Monetta Young Investor’s Fund.
Why did you choose that?
Brandon: Mutual funds are less risky than straight stock investment because they invest in lots of companies, which is diversification. The level of risk is not as high.
How do you learn about investing and financial stuff?
Our parents give us a lot of advice and recommend books, and we do a lot of Internet research. One of my favorite books was Robert Kiyosaki’s Rich Dad, Poor Dad. That gave me the initiative to want to be an entrepreneur.
What does the future hold for the both of you?
Jordan: I want to go to a business college, major in business and marketing, and own my own business.
Brandon: I want to major in business and technology and run different companies. I want to use the knowledge I have now to create new products to help spread the wealth to teens and help them become more successful.
Windfall Trivia!

  • New York Hotel heiress Leona Helmsley bequeathed her entire $12 million estate to her dog in 2007. (Source: ABC)
  • Ken Jennings is the highest-winning game show contestant in history, winning a combined $3,773,414.29 from 4 game shows. (Source: Wikipedia)
What should YOU do?

If you decide to invest your windfall, there are lots of options: stocks, bonds, mutual funds, savings accounts, individual retirement arrangements (IRAs) and more. Here are three things to consider.
  • TIME: How long can the money be put away? If you need it soon, consider a savings or money-market account. If you can wait a year or longer, a CD or bond might offer better rates.
  • RISK: How much risk can you handle? FDIC-insured savings accounts are practically zero risk, but won’t provide much of a return. Investing in stocks can provide higher returns over time, but you can also lose your shirt.
  • TAXES:  Each investment is taxed differently so find out first how your return on the investment is going to be taxed. If you’re starting to save for retirement (it’s never too early!) Roth IRAs are great for kids — your investment grows without being taxed, and the money can be withdrawn tax-free once you reach 59 1/2 years old.
A man holding up a bunch of credit cards.

3 Tips to Teach Your Kids About Responsibly Using Credit Cards

Guest post by David Bakke. David Bakke lives in Atlanta, Georgia with his young son. In addition to running a reselling business online, David writes about making smart personal finance decisions on Money Crashers.

It is debatable as to whether a child or teenager should have a credit card. However, regardless of your personal belief, more children are walking around now with plastic in their pocket than ever before. Unfortunately, many do not understand how to use credit intelligently.

If you adopt the correct strategy and teach your kids about proper money management, you will ensure that your children avoid a lifetime of credit troubles. There are a number of methods for instructing kids of all ages:

1. Keep It Simple

If you want your children to truly understand your lessons, speak in simple terms. For instance, if they are too young to understand what “interest” is, explain to them that if the credit card bill isn’t paid in full, the issuer will charge more money. When it comes to reviewing statements, show your child how much interest will be due if the balance isn’t paid off, and point out the dollar amount that will be owed if only the minimum payment is made.

Showing children concrete examples in the world of personal finance helps bring the point home. Additionally, it can help to physically get down to their level. Whenever I explain any serious concept to my son, I take a seat beside him and speak in a one-on-one fashion.

2. Make It Fun

Have fun while teaching your child about credit! There are several board games that do exactly this. One is called Charge Large, where players travel around the board using cash and a credit card to purchase properties. The first person to have cash and a zero credit card balance wins.

Another option is Monopoly Electronic Banking, which is an updated version of the classic board game. Players use debit cards instead of cash, and the banker utilizes a computerized disc to transfer money.

When I play these games with my son, I add in little lessons during the game to teach him more about how credit cards work.

3. Clearly Explain Wants vs. Needs

Teaching your children the difference between wants and needs is another key to effective personal money management. Learning this difference was the number one reason why I was able to solve my personal debt issues. Kids need to be taught at a young age that a roof over their heads and food on the dinner table are needs, and most everything else is a want. Children will benefit from this lesson for years to come.

This is part 1 in a series of 3 by guest blogger David Bakke. Check back next week for “Understanding Credit Card Do’s and Don’ts” 

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