Working diligently for the past three months, DECA members have banded together for a financial literacy project. Today at Lake Travis High School DECA will compete at the district level with many projects that will help promote financial literacy among the student body. 

Along with presenting their projects, members must campaign and write a report about the topic.

“They will have a lot of potential at competition,” sponsor Dana Jones said. “I’m very proud of them.”

The main problem that the competitors faced with the start of the project was that members knew very little about financial literacy.

Senior public relations manager Amanda Hepner and senior treasurer Brandon Flowers, two of the 55 students participating in this competition, want students to learn how to become financially literate before it is too late.

Studies have shown most 18-24 year olds are in debt. The national debt rate has sky rocketed 94 percent in the past year.

 “The earlier a student learns to be financially literate, the less likely they are to get into debt,” Flowers said.

For students who don’t have a clue when it comes to financial literacy, there a few things to consider such as outlining a budget, creating a savings plan and monitoring credit card use.  

 “Every dollar you save when you are in your 20s will turn into $1,000 in your 60s,” Jones said.

DECA members hope to use their campaigns to promote financial literacy to their classmates.

“Students need to become more aware of what is around them and to learn how to manage their finances in the future,” Flowers said.