Kids Tout 'Super Hero' Savings

America's youth reports strong savings habits
MILWAUKEE--(Business Wire)--
More kids living in the U.S. associate the state of their piggy
banks with "super hero" strength and stability than with Halloween
gloom and doom, according to a new poll conducted by the financial
literacy Web site www.themint.org. The finding provides parents and
teachers with an optimistic glimpse into the future, even as difficult
economic conditions continue to grip the nation.

In the survey, visitors to the site were asked to choose which
Halloween costume best describes the state of their piggy banks. A
majority of the respondents 17 years or younger (56 percent) said they
either had strong, unshakeable "super hero" savings, or savings that
evoked a "train engineer" costume, showing their plans for savings are
right on track. This is good news because only 26 percent of
respondents described their savings as "bare bones" or downright
laughable.

"It's encouraging that kids see the benefits of savings at a young
age," said Meridee Maynard, senior vice president, Northwestern
Mutual. "The power of saving for the future may not ever allow anyone
to leap buildings in a single bound, but it can help people achieve
feats far more important -- like attending college, buying a home, and
retiring comfortably."

When asked what they would do if handed a sum of money, more kids
preferred saving over spending. More than half of the kids aged 17
years or younger (54 percent) said they'd save all of their money
and/or budget it carefully and slowly, compared to a small number (15
percent) who said they'd rather spend it as fast as possible.

From July through September 2008, visitors to the financial
literacy Web site www.themint.org were invited to answer two questions
related to individual savings habits. A combined total of more than
1,600 respondents from across the country weighed in about what they
would do if handed a sum of money, as well as the state of their
current savings. The results were then analyzed based on several
demographic factors, including the age, gender and location of
respondents.

Males Report Least Desire to Save, Strongest Savings

While kids as a whole seem to understand the importance of saving
and budgeting in a healthy financial plan, the poll revealed some
surprising findings when the demographic is broken down by gender and
geographic regions.

According to the survey, young male respondents are more confident
with their savings, but less concerned with budgeting than their
female counterparts. While less than half (47 percent) of the males
aged 17 or younger said they would save their money or budget it
carefully, an overwhelming majority (87 percent) saw their savings as
strong or on track. Conversely, more females (59 percent) said they
would be vigilant with the money, but a significantly smaller number
(50 percent) are confident that their savings are on course.

Westerners Exhibit Good Intentions but Lack Confidence In Their
Savings

Interestingly, where kids live appears to affect their attitude
toward saving and financial confidence. Two-thirds (67 percent) of
respondents in the West said they would look after their money
conservatively, but less than half (48 percent) are satisfied with the
strength of their actual savings.

The rest of the country was far more consistent. Over half of the
kids in the Midwest and Northeast said they would be diligent with the
money and are confident in their savings, while slightly less than
half of Southerners said they were content with the state of their
piggy bank.

This study is part of an ongoing series conducted on
www.themint.org. Polls released in April and July 2008 focused on
allowances and summer employment, respectively.

About Themint.org

Launched in 1997, www.themint.org is a collaboration between the
Northwestern Mutual Foundation, the charitable arm of Northwestern
Mutual, and the National Council on Economic Education (NCEE). The
site provides fun activities, games, challenges, quizzes and tests for
students and teens, helpful tips for parents, and entertaining
programs and lesson plans for teachers to promote financial literacy.

This poll marks the third of a series of polls by www.themint.org,
with the aim of bringing continued awareness to financial literacy
issues. Poll results are archived on the site and can be viewed at
www.themint.org/polls/.

About Northwestern Mutual

The Northwestern Mutual Life Insurance Company, Milwaukee, WI
(Northwestern Mutual) has been helping policyowners and clients
achieve financial security for more than 150 years. The company is an
industry leader, with over $1 trillion of life insurance protection in
force, and maintains the highest available ratings for insurance
financial strength from all four major rating agencies: Standard &
Poor's, Fitch Ratings, A. M. Best and Moody's.

For 25 years, a FORTUNE magazine survey has named Northwestern
Mutual "America's Most Admired" company in the life/health insurance
industry. Further information on Northwestern Mutual, its subsidiaries
and affiliates can be found at: www.nmfn.com.

Northwestern Mutual
Jean Towell, 1-800-323-7033
mediarelations@northwesternmutual.com

Copyright Business Wire 2008