We offer a savings account for young members up to age 18, where funds can be deposited on the child's behalf, such as a weekly allowance or birthday checks from grandparents. Upon opening a Tadpole Account, your child will receive a personal account kit with instructions on how to make deposits and withdrawals, as well as manage their account online. You can even open a Club Account to help teach your child how to save toward a goal.


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• $5 minimum opening deposit
• No membership fee if $1 or more is deposited via payroll from an adult account
• Interest paid on all funds on deposit (no minimums)
• Requires an adult joint account holder
• Optional savings, including a CLUB Account, is available
• FREE Online Banking and CALL-24 access
• Quarterly statements
• Periodic games, contests and fun!

To open an account, apply by phone, through the mail or visit any TFCU branch. At TFCU, our objective is to help young members build a sound financial future. We believe the most effective means of learning how to manage money is to gain first-hand experience at conducting financial transactions. We encourage student account holders to actively monitor and manage their accounts through lobby transactions, free 24 hour Telephone Teller and use of our free Online Banking. Our Youth Accounts offer unique benefits that increase with the student member’s age. With the agreement of a parent or guardian, we make many “adult” services available at an early age, so that our student account holders can safely learn about credit and money management. We provide a logical progression of services that lets young adults transition from a simple savings account, to managing a checking account and credit card, to buying a first car, and up to owning a home. With all of our youth accounts, interest is earned on all money on deposit and there is NO minimum balance fee. Youth savings accounts may be opened with as little as $5.

YOUTH DISCOUNTS

• Magic Springs
• Wild River Country
• Six Flags Over Texas

Raising Money-Wise Children Most parents do just about anything to ensure that their children have the skills to succeed in life. However, fewer than 40% of parents talk about credit cards, debt or family finances with their children. While it's possible your child might get some education in financial matters through the schools, it’s not enough. According to the National Council on Economic Education, an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to increasing financial education for students in grades K-12, only seven states — Alabama, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Kentucky, New York and Utah — require that high-school students complete a course in personal finance. Even if you could use a lesson or two on the finer points of personal finance, that doesn't mean you can't raise money-wise kids. For added motivation, consider that the smarter your kids are about money, the less likely they'll hit you up for cash when they enter adulthood. There are five basic concepts that parents should teach their children:

* Earning
* Saving
* Spending
* Accounts
* Credit Earning
Getting paid for household chores like keeping their room clean or making their bed each day instills in children a good work ethic. And having some disposable income teaches other financial lessons, like saving and spending.

Savings
Teach your child to prioritize and save for what he really wants. Have your child draw up a list of the things he wants most. Next, have him do some research by looking in newspapers, on the Web or in stores to discover how much things cost. Then, help your child prioritize his savings goals. And remember, this is his goal, not yours: assuming it's within reason, let the child purchase what he wants. A TFCU CLUB account can make saving more fun. You can name the account as you wish using our free online internet banking. NO opening deposit is required.

Spending
Use everyday shopping experiences to teach your child how to spend thoughtfully and intelligently. Talk about what things cost and the difference between needs and wants. At the grocery store, for example, compare prices between brand-name products and generic ones. When shopping for a car, bring up the after-purchase expenses like interest and operating costs. Also, talk about why you forego certain kinds of spending like choosing not to eat out in order to save money for a vacation or for their education. Credit Union Account
A child as young as 10 years old can learn the basics of interest, writing checks and financial responsibility. Karen Johnson, of Carlsbad, CA, was surprised at how opening a youth savings account changed the thinking of her son, Zach. Before the account, Zach would spend gift money and allowance on toys. Once he deposited his money in a savings account and was told to manage it, Zach didn't want to deplete it with frivolous purchases. "It gave him a real sense of security to know he has $500 in the bank," says Johnson.

Credit
Parents can teach the concept of borrowing when the child is saving for an expensive toy. After the child has saved half the amount of the toy, allow her to borrow (if she so chooses) against her future allowance to make up the difference. Explain that over the next few weeks she will have to pay back the savings portion of her allowance. You may consider adding an extra week to teach the cost of interest. Sounds tough, but better Suzy learn about paying down debt from you, now, than from a credit card company later. Nothing beats actual experience when learning how credit works. Open a CREDIT BUILDER LOAN and help your 18 year old learn about credit while still under your watchful eye. You'll be helping your child build a good credit history, which will benefit him greatly when he applies for jobs, rents or purchases his own place, or applies for an auto loan.

Raising Money-Savvy Kids
Struggling for economic prosperity is difficult for everyone. It's especially hard for young people who've never learned how to plan to achieve financial security. What we need today, confirmed by poor financial literacy test scores from across the country, is leadership to help raise the awareness of financial issues for young people. TFCU's objective is to help young people learn how to earn, spend, save and manage their own money. The staff and members of TFCU are ideally positioned to respond because of our belief in the power of education-put to practical use-to improve the lives of their neighbors and their communities. There are several things parents can do right now to help their children get on the right financial path. Here are some tips from the Credit Union National Association: Younger than age 5

• Use coin savers to help children learn how to identify coins and count money.
• Introduce the concept of money by giving children small change to spend occasionally when you go to the store. Limit options to save time and reduce conflict.

• Give a weekly allowance to offer hands-on money management experience. Because children know they'll regularly get a set amount of money, this makes it easier to learn how to save.
• Let children save for, and buy, something they really want. Rewards reinforce young children's savings habits, so tie saving to spending.
• Use three containers labeled "Spend," "Save," and "Share." Suggest that children contribute a portion of their allowance and cash gifts to each to teach how to spend wisely, save regularly, and give to others.
• When the "save" container builds up, take children to the credit union to open a savings account.
• Provide children with opportunities to earn extra money by doing jobs not included in their regular responsibilities.

• Include children on shopping trips to teach them what things cost and smart shopping techniques. Let them help compare product qualities, prices, return policies, and warranties.
• Encourage odd jobs: babysitting, yard work, or pet care.
• Encourage children to use their own money to buy "beyond-the-basics" clothing and accessories.

• Discuss saving plans for long-term goals, such as education and cars.
• Consider giving teens a seasonal clothing allowance beyond their regular allowance. After setting guidelines and limits, let them make their own choices.
• Consider helping financially responsible teens open a share draft/checking account.
• Consider encouraging financially responsible older teens to use a debit card with their share draft/checking accounts.