Money Smarts Blog
Guess What? I Got My First Savings Account!
Jul 6, 2026 || By Evalynn D., 10 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 first ever savings account. My grandma says it’s “a big step toward financial responsibility.” And she would know, because she’s a Financial Coach at IHMVCU’s Davenport - East Kimberly Road 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 slime)
Okay, here’s the thing: I like buying stuff. Squishmallows, glitter pens, milkshakes… you get it. But then my money disappears super fast. My mom said if I save instead of spend 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 basically giving away free money. If you open a Balance Builder Junior Savers account like mine and put in $50, they'll give you another $50*.
- Buying an ice cream cone and getting a second scoop for free.
- Putting $5 bill in your piggy bank and finding another $5 bill in there the next day
- Getting two snow cones instead of one on the hottest day of summer.
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 Roblox game.)
P.S. Grandma says if someone offers you $50, you don't ask questions... you sign up. I'll be over here watching my savings grow and dreaming about my beanbag.
