Money Smarts Blog
Candy Canes, Cookies, and an Extra $50
Nov 4, 2025 || By Evalynn D., 9 year-old IHMVCU super saver
Hi! My name’s Evalynn, and guess what? I’m officially a savings account owner. Not a fake one. Not a piggy bank. A real one… with my own name on it and everything.
It’s called a Balance Builder Junior Savers account at IHMVCU, and it’s my very first savings account. My grandma says it’s “a big step toward financial responsibility.” And she would know, because she’s the branch manager at IHMVCU’s DeWitt Branch (a.k.a. the boss of the credit union). I just think it’s awesome that my money lives in a cool account instead of under my bed (sorry, old shoebox).
Why I decided to start saving (and not just for candy canes)
Here’s the thing: I love buying stuff. Squishmallows, glitter pens, holiday cookies… you get it. But then my money disappears faster than Santa down a chimney. My mom said if I save instead of spending it all, it’ll “grow.” I thought she meant it would get bigger-er or something.
Turns out, it means my money earns more money just for sitting in my account. Magic!
The $50 deal that made me say “YES”
Here’s the best part. Right now, IHMVCU is doing “Gift of Savings”. If you open a Balance Builder Junior Savers account like mine and put in $50, they give you another $50*.
That’s like…
Getting one gingerbread cookie and finding another one waiting on the plate
Hanging one ornament on the tree and discovering an extra sparkle ornament magically appeared
Putting $5 in your piggy bank and finding another $5 the next morning
So yeah, I was in.
What I’m saving for
Some kids save for a bike. Others save for a Nintendo Switch.
I’m saving for a giant beanbag chair so I can read my books and eat snacks like a queen. And now that I got an extra $50, I’m way closer to beanbag royalty.
Why I think you should do it too
If you’re a kid like me, or if you have a kid like me, you should totally do this. You get your own account, you get more money just for saving money, and you feel kinda grown-up.
Plus, you can brag to your friends that you’re earning interest. (They’ll either be impressed or ask if “interest” is a new Christmas game.)
P.S. Grandma says the $50 holiday bonus doesn’t last forever, so you should probably do it before Santa finishes his rounds. I’ll be over here watching my savings grow and dreaming about my beanbag.
