CONDUSEF launches 'Financial Strokes' children's drawing contest to teach kids about money

If there's one thing that stings for us Kiwis, it's getting to the end of the month with next to nothing left in the bank. That's why whenever an organisation like CONDUSEF pulls together a workshop or an event for the little ones, it's worth a cheer. Because we know that if kids learn the value of money from a young age, they won't be scratching their heads as adults wondering where their pay cheque went.

That's exactly why the Federal Consumer Protection Agency (known to mates as CONDUSEF) has just unveiled the children's drawing contest "Financial Strokes". And no, it's not some boring drill about numbers and fine print; it's a straight-up invitation to the budding artists at home to show us, using their colours and imagination, how they'd go about making their pocket money stretch.

What's 'Financial Strokes' all about?

The idea is pretty simple and really cool. CONDUSEF wants kids aged 6 to 12 to have a think about things like saving, household spending, and why blowing all their piggy bank savings on lollies isn't the best idea. The main theme of the drawing should revolve around questions like "How do you teach your family to look after money?" or "What would you do to make sure your money box is never empty?".

Entries will be accepted until May 30th at the various agency offices. And here's the thing: you don't need to live in the main centres to get involved. CONDUSEF has a long reach, and you can take their masterpieces to any of their regional offices. For instance, if you're in the north, you can pop into the CONDUSEF Zacatecas office. If you're near the coast, the CONDUSEF Veracruz office will be accepting drawings with just as much enthusiasm. And for those living in the highlands region, the CONDUSEF Pachuca Hidalgo office will also be a drop-off point. Kids can let their imaginations run wild without having to leave their own state.

Prizes worth having

As with any good competition, it's not all about the pride of participating (though that's a big part of it). CONDUSEF has put together some pretty sweet prizes for the winners. There will be awards like:

• Tablets for the first-place winners, perfect for exploring the digital world further (with parental controls on, of course).
• Educational games related to finance, so learning doesn't feel like homework.
• School supply packs and books on financial education for the young artists.

The best part is that the selected drawings will be displayed at CONDUSEF offices and at some consumer fairs held throughout the year. So kids can show off to their mates: "Hey, look, my artwork's up at CONDUSEF".

More than a contest, it's about building know-how

Initiatives like "Financial Strokes" are a breath of fresh air. The truth is, we've been gradually picking up the savings habit, but there's still a fair way to go. The fact that CONDUSEF takes the time to visit schools and now launch a drawing contest shows that financial education isn't just for the suits, but for the whole family.

So there you have it, parents: print out the details, grab some paper or card, and have a draw with the kids. It's not just a chance to win a cool prize, but also an opportunity to spend the afternoon chatting about why it's better to save for later rather than blowing it all on a Friday afternoon. If you want more info, you can head to your nearest office: from the CONDUSEF Zacatecas office right through to the CONDUSEF Veracruz office and the CONDUSEF Pachuca Hidalgo office. The main thing is to get involved.