For Young Investors

guy Investing can help you save money to do the things you want to do: go to college or university, travel the world or buy your first car.

Read on to learn about how to get started.

Make it Count

We know that when kids learn about responsible money management at a young age, the lessons will pay dividends throughout their lifetime. They will be more independent and self sufficient, they will be able to make their own decisions and choices, use good judgment and look at consumption in a realistic way and they will acquire the skills and knowledge to be financially secure.

At the CSA we recognize that talking about money management may be an uncomfortable topic for many parents/families. So to help encourage the discussion, we have developed Make it Count: A Parent’s Guide to Youth Money Management.

The Make it Count guide is broken down into five straightforward sections in which parents can quickly access the information they need. Sections include: out and about, lessons for life, milestones, fun with friends and extras with topics like dining out, earning money, online safety, first cell phone, budgeting and recreational spending. Also included in the guide are youth budget sheets, mentor budget sheets and saver sheets to help make money management easier.

So, let’s have the talk and let’s Make it Count!

Financial Fitness Challenge

How financially fit are you? Find out by taking the Financial Fitness Challenge. What do you want? What do you need? And how are you going to go about getting it? Use these warm-ups to get your heart rate up and burn off those bad money habits.

Start your workout by figuring out what you want to do with your money. What do you want to accomplish and by when? The first set to setting financial goals is understanding the difference between needs and wants.

Once you know what your financial goals are - take the workout up a notch with the Financial Fitness Budget Breakaway. Tracking your income and expenses can help you put money away for your goals. It's great for finding out where you spend your money and how much you spend in each area. A budget will also help you avoid spending more than you ear.

Now give your brain a work out. Chances are you wouldn't buy a new computer or MP3 player without doing your research. The same goes for investing. Before you invest your hard-earned money, read Investing 101 ( Acrobat PDF) to learn about the different kids of investments and how they work.

Don't quite yet! Understanding types of Investment Accounts is an important part of any financial workout! The right account for you will depend on the kinds of investments you want. There are several options, from everyday savings accounts at your local bank to tax-free savings accounts (TFSA) and registered retirement savings plans (RRSP). You can also learn more about the advantages and potential disadvantages associated with different types of investments by visiting My Future. My Choice.

Now that you're all warmed up - challenge yourself! Take the Financial Fitness Challenge for your chance to win* a $750 scholarship!

*Based on contestant eligibility and contest availability. Visit the Financial Fitness Challenge contest rules for complete details.

The Money-Belt

The Financial Consumer Agency of Canada has developed the Money Belt, your gateway to financial learning. Here, you can build your knowledge and confidence in handling finances and situations involving decisions about money. It's the place to get practical tips and test what you know — and don't know — about managing money without the risks and consequences you would encounter in real life.

While you're there, be sure to visit The City - a The_City_Button_EN

place that doesn't cost a dime to visit, but money is everywhere. Enter through this portal. Passport, ID, contrabank check, fingerprints, iris scam. Watch where you walk. Stay out of the dangerous places. Wait - what's that sweeping yellow-green searchlight? SecurGuard cruiser! Quick! Inside the Hub!

For Young Investors

Make it Count

Financial Fitness Challenge

The Money-Belt

Other Links and Resources