Money Smart for Life

Money Smart for Life a NJ State Library (NJSL) initiative to educate communities on the skills they need for financial wellbeing through libraries.

Celebrate Financial Literacy Month at Your Library!

Financial Literacy is essential for individuals of every age, background, and socioeconomic group to maintain their current day-to-day finances, prepare for emergencies, and ensure future financial security.

Libraries are encouraged to host events, classes, and programs in April 2027 during Financial Literacy Month.

Looking for ideas? Need resources? Want to increase your own money skills? Check out the Money Smart for Life program information below!

The Money Smart for Life Awards

Information about the 2027 Money Smart for Life Awards will be shared in early 2027.

Congratulations to the recipients of the 2026 Money Smart for Life Awards!

Click here to see the full list of winners: https://www.njstatelib.org/money-smart-for-life-2026-award-recipients/

If you have questions, contact Andrea Levandowski (alevandowski@njstatelib.org) or Sharon Rawlins (srawlins@njstatelib.org).

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Money Smart for Life Professional Development Webinars

Money Smart for Life: Thinking outside the Financial Literacy Box

Speakers:

• Jasmine Riel, Supervisor of Youth Services, Cherry Hill Public Library
• Carolyn Aversano, Business Information Services, Edison Public Library
• Mimi Hui, Director, Hasbrouck Heights Public Library

Date: Tuesday, October 20 from 1:00-2:00pm

Register Here

Developing programs on financial literacy topics can be challenging. How can libraries approach money topics in a way that isn’t boring, appeals to a variety of patrons, and still imparts valuable information? This panel discussion will feature winners of the NJSL’s 2026 Money Smart for Life Award who will share their strategies for working with partners to make financial literacy interesting and meaningful for their communities. You will hear about:

• Cherry Hill Public Library’s series of youth- and teen-focused events taught by a local bank manager
• Edison Public Library’s workshops featuring speakers from the New Jersey Bureau of Securities
• Hasbrouck Heights Public Library’s “Downsizing by Design: Informational Selling Seminar for Seniors”

NJSave and GetSetUp: Resources for Older New Jerseyans

Speaker: Neil Borenstein, New Jersey Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Services

Date: Wednesday, October 21 from 10:00-11:00am

Register Here

The New Jersey Division of Aging Services, within the New Jersey Department of Human Services, focuses on making it easier for older adults to live in their community as long as possible with independence, dignity, and choice. Assistance is available through a number of federal- and state-funded programs administered by the Division. Access to some of these programs is available through NJSave, an application that can help eligible older adults and individuals with disabilities save money on Medicare premiums, prescriptions, utilities, and other living expenses. Additionally, New Jersey residents 60 years and older can stay engaged and explore new interests with GetSetUp, an online platform offering classes taught by older adults for older adults on a variety of topics, including financial planning.

Join this webinar to learn more about the NJSave programs and how to apply, as well as how to sign up for free access to GetSetUp.

Neil Borenstein coordinates communications and outreach efforts for the New Jersey Division of Aging Services, an organization within the New Jersey Department of Human Services. In this capacity, he helps raise awareness about programs and services available to older adults, individuals with disabilities, and caregivers throughout the State of New Jersey.

Money Smart for Life: Playing with Your Money

Speakers:

• Amy Steinbauer, Director, Berkeley Heights Public Library
• Isabelle Graves, Youth Services Librarian, Ocean County Library – Manchester
• Crysta Miller, Branch Manager, Gloucester County Library System
• Jessica Trujillo, Supervising Librarian, Edison Public Library – Clara Barton Branch

Date: Wednesday, October 28 from 1:00-2:00pm

Register Here

Conversations about money are not just for adults! Children can begin learning about money topics at a young age and grow their knowledge throughout their lives. There are plenty of ways to have fun with money while still sharing the fundamentals. This panel discussion will feature winners of the NJSL’s 2026 Money Smart for Life Award who will share their cents-ational programs for children and youth. You will hear about:

• Berkeley Heights Public Library’s Youth Financial Literacy Course led by the Penny Power Project
• The Swedesboro Branch of the Gloucester County Library System’s Thinking Money for Kids program using kits provided by FINRA and the American Library Association
• The Manchester Branch of the Ocean County Library’s monthly programs for kids to learn about money and business ownership
• The Clara Barton Branch of the Edison Public Library’s CB Store for learning about budgets

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Upcoming Resources

Your Toolkit

Archived Webinars

There is More to Money Than Spending Part I

• Money Management Basics Part 1 (PDF)

In this webinar, librarians and library staff working with children, teens, and families learned the basics from a representative from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation about money management. The session helped attendees develop the understanding and confidence to navigate financial education resources to create and offer the most appropriate programming and guidance for youth and their families. Topics included demystifying money mindsets, budgeting, taxes, setting financial goals, the basics of credit scores, and how to protect yourself from fraud and scams.

There is More to Money Than Spending Part II

• Money Management Basics Part 2 (PDF)

In this webinar, librarians and library staff working with children, teens, and families learned the basics from a representative from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation about money management. The session helped attendees develop the understanding and confidence to navigate financial education resources to create and offer the most appropriate programming and guidance for youth and their families. Topics included banking, compound interest, and a look at investing for beginners.

The Librarian’s Tax Toolkit: Essential Federal and State Resource

The Librarian’s Tax Toolkit (YouTube Video)

This webinar was presented by representatives from the New Jersey Society of Certified Public Accountants (NJCPA) and Wiss & Company, LLP (Wiss), a leading regional accounting firm that goes beyond the numbers, offering a full spectrum of accounting, advisory, and wealth services. They provide an overview of frequently asked tax questions for library staff members assisting patrons. This session highlights educational materials provided by NJCPA on topics such as property taxes and identifying CPAs. You will also learn about resources and services from the IRS and NJ Division of Taxation, where you can direct patrons. Additionally, presenters cover services available for patrons who need help with their taxes, such as Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA).

• FINAL Financial Literacy in Libraries (1).pdf
• NJCPA Library Association Presentation – January 2026.pdf

AARP Speakers Series

These webinars will educate library staff to better navigate financial topics with older adults in their libraries. The AARP Speakers Bureau is also a resource for libraries offering their own programs for patrons.

Fraud Watch: Vigilance Against Cybercrime and Government Imposter Scams

Fraud Watch (YouTube Video)

In today’s fast-paced online environment, protecting your personal information is more crucial than ever. Scammers are becoming savvier in their efforts to take your money and/or identity, especially by pretending to be from a government agency. Stay up to date on impostor scams to understand the top ways to spot and avoid them. This workshop is designed to empower you with the knowledge and tools to navigate the digital world safely. We’ll cover how to stay safe in public, at home, when using social media, and when shopping and banking. We’ll also look at common scams and how to avoid them.

Public Benefits for Older Adults and Understanding Social Security

Understanding Social Security (YouTube Video)

This presentation will demonstrate how you or a loved one can help supplement your income and decrease your spending by securing the essentials, eligible benefits, discounts, and crucial refunds. We’ll cover the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, Affordable Connectivity Program, Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, Medicare Savings Programs and the Medicare Extra Help Plan. You’ll walk away with easy access to resources that you can use to apply for these programs. Do you understand how Social Security works? Have you wondered who is eligible for Social Security payments? This workshop focuses on building a basic understanding of Social Security, exploring how claiming decisions affect payments, and identifying resources that can help you along the way. It can help you build confidence in making the right decisions for your personal situation.

• AARP Topics – August 2025 (PDF)
• Handout – Social Security Resources Guide (PDF)
• Handout – Social Security Takeaways (PDF)
• Handout – 2025 Public Benefits Resource (PDF)
• Public Benefits and Social Security Links (PDF)

Understanding Types of Investments

In this webinar, librarians and library staff working with new adults were presented with information about types of investments from a representative from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation. The session assisted attendees to develop the understanding and confidence to navigate financial education resources to create and offer the most appropriate programming and guidance for their patrons. Topics included key stock, bond, and mutual fund concepts, as well as account considerations and how to vet investment professionals.

NJSL Understanding Types of Investments (PDF)

The Power of Investing Over Time

In this webinar, librarians and library staff working with new adults learned about compound interest, what new adults face in their investing journey, and how to support new adults through this process from a representative from the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Investor Education Foundation.

NJSL The Power of Investing Over Time (PDF)

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Do You Still Have Questions?

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