Elevate Credit Union has launched ‘Broke, Budgeting & Beyond’, an engaging new financial literacy booklet created specifically to get young people talking openly about money management, budgeting, and financial wellbeing as they transition into third-level education.
Developed in partnership with marketing students from Munster Technological University (MTU), the guide aims to ignite vital discussions around financial literacy among young adults, helping college students navigate everything from day-to-day budgeting and borrowing to gambling risks, easy-money traps, and money-related stress.
Available in print on campus and across Elevate Credit Union branches, as well as digitally via Elevate’s website, the publication presents complex financial topics in a conversational, approachable, and humorous style tailored directly to students taking control of their finances for the first time.
The booklet is structured into six practical chapters covering budgeting, borrowing, investing, entrepreneurship, betting and easy money, and the direct link between money and mental health. To ensure readers can immediately put advice into practice, it includes a monthly finance planner, a cheat sheet, and an actionable three-step financial plan.
Highlighting Elevate Credit Union’s commitment to community education and youth empowerment, the project also showcases the tangible impact of student work placements. MTU marketing student, Lauren McCarthy led the booklet’s development during her placement at Elevate, while fellow student Hailey Cullinane facilitated student focus groups at MTU to shape the publication’s tone and core topics. Both are now in their final year of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Marketing at MTU.
A LASTING RESOURCE
Speaking on the launch, Gary Hanrahan, Marketing Manager at Elevate Credit Union, said: “Starting college brings new responsibilities, and managing money is a major part of that transition. We designed this project specifically to get young people starting the discussion around financial literacy early – creating something relatable and honest that students would actually want to read and talk about with their peers.
“Lauren brought an invaluable student perspective to the team, and the focus groups she conducted with Hailey ensured we addressed the real issues affecting young people today, including gambling and money anxiety. Investing in young talent through our placement scheme has delivered a lasting resource that Elevate is proud to share with students across our entire community.”
This guide marks the third publication in Elevate Credit Union’s comprehensive financial literacy series, expanding its outreach across all educational stages – from primary and secondary schools to higher education. The initiative originated in January 2025, when Gary Hanrahan developed educational material for primary pupils alongside former MTU placement student Ceili Byrne, followed by a dedicated secondary school edition.
Dr Katie Power, Head of the Department of Marketing and International Business at MTU, said that the initiative demonstrated how work placements ‘can address important societal issues while providing practical experience’.
“Lauren and Hailey had the opportunity to spark an important conversation among their peers while delivering a tangible, high-quality publication for Elevate Credit Union. Elevate’s hands-on approach shows how local businesses and students can collaborate to create real value for the wider community.”
The online edition of ‘Broke, Budgeting & Beyond’ can be accessed directly at: elevate-broke-budgeting-and-beyond.pdf
