Achievement’ Helping Teens Navigate Their Financial Futures (NAPSA)—Ask many teens what they want to buy and chancesare they will say “a car” For many people, owning a car or truckis the first major purchase. Often,it is also the first opportunity to use credit. At the same time, the largest group to drive uninsured or to lose their vehicle through repossession for nonpaymentare young menin their late teens or early 20s. Once a default hits a credit report, it can take nearly a decadeto bring a credit score back up. There’s a fun way for teens to learn aboutfinances. “When young adults run into fi- nancial problems, it’s usually due to a lack of understanding of how loans and credit work, and not a desire to actirresponsibly,’ said Jack Kosakowski, pres- ident and CEO of Junior Achievement USA, the world’s leading nonprofit economic education organization for young people. “That’s why it’s important to educate teens about these concepts instead of putting them in a position to learn throughtrial and error.” To help teens make informed choices about their financial futures, from buy- ing a car to paying for college, Junior Achievement has launched JA My Way at JAMyWay.org, a free, interactive on- line resource that provides valuable information on how moneyworks. ‘The site provides engagingactivities, information and tools that help users better understand the various costs associated not only with buying car, but with its upkeep. Thesite also has calculators to figure out college costs. It has budgeting tools and it even walks teens throughfilling out a 1040EZ form. Beyond financial management, the site also has resources to help teens learn howtofind the right career, start a business or write a rsum. Learn More For further information, visit www. JAMyWay.org.
