Financial Fitness Challenge Offers Youth Chance to Win $2,000 Prize

Young Nova Scotians are invited to take the Financial Fitness Challenge, a contest designed to raise awareness about budgeting, saving and investing.

The Financial Fitness Challenge, which runs Feb. 15 to April 15, uses a new, interactive website to quiz youth on their financial knowledge. The contest is sponsored by the Canadian Securities Administrators, of which the Nova Scotia Securities Commission is a member.

This year, visitors to the annual challenge website, www.financialfitnesschallenge.ca , will find a fresh look and many interactive tools and simulations.

"Young people between the ages of 15 and 21 are just beginning to earn money and make their own financial decisions," said Natalie MacLellan, investor education and communications co-ordinator with the Nova Scotia Securities Commission. "The Financial Fitness Challenge offers great incentives to engage youth in financial education, and challenge their decision-making skills."

The website allows participants to compete with friends and others at a local and national level. The site also features its own Facebook page where young Canadians can exchange ideas and tips about managing money.

While anyone can visit the site, the bilingual contest is open to Canadians aged 15 to 21. Thirteen entries, one from each province and territory, will be randomly selected from eligible participants to win a notebook computer, with a national grand prize winner awarded $2,000.

Teachers are also encouraged to use the program as a fun and informative learning tool to support the development of good financial behaviour among their students. Teachers can go to www.financialfitnesschallenge.ca/formations.php to download classroom materials, including complete lesson plans.

The Canadian Securities Administrators, the council of securities regulators of Canada's provinces and territories, co-ordinates and harmonizes regulation for the Canadian capital markets.