Back

Blue Hills Bank, Hyde Park, MA

Entry Year: 2017
Entry Category: Financial Education
Asset Size: Small
Program Name: Ms. Money & the Coins

Program Summary:

In 2011, President Obama declared the month of April “Financial Literacy Month” and called upon individuals and businesses to use their resources to educate American citizens about the importance of personal finance capabilities.

Blue Hills Bank answered that call by having its foundation invest in creating an original, educational musical for students in grades K-5. Since November 2011, the 35-minute musical “Ms. Money & the Coins,” has become the longest running musical on financial literacy in the world and has been performed, free of charge, over 300 times to more than 50,000 Massachusetts elementary school students.

Through music, magic, improvisation and audience participation, “Ms. Money & the Coins” teaches the basic concepts of saving, sharing and spending, in a musical staged play. Three characters (adult actors who play Ms. Money, Nick and Penny) teach the difference between needs and wants, learn how to earn and save money, discuss why it’s important to give back to the community and discover how to save your family money and preserve natural resources by conserving and recycling.

"Ms. Money & the Coins” invites K-5 students into the conversation about personal finance in a fun, interactive and engaging manner. As one principal stated, “I'd like to think you are improving the economy... one grade-schooler at a time!”

Original songs include: Another Day, Another Dollar; Need Versus Wants; Did I Really Spend it All?; I’ve Got Nothing; Give a Little. Get a Lot; Make it, Save it, Share it, Spend it! This 5-minute video illustrates the program’s impact. https://www.bluehillsbank.com/video/ms-money-and-the-coins/