AJ stands for Andrew Jackson, our 7th president. His reputation for toughness earned him the nickname "Old Hickory." A hero of the War of 1812, Jackson has appeared on the $20 bill since 1928.

Like most Americans, you'll probably need to work to earn your money.

Perhaps you're working now—babysitting, mowing lawns, cleaning out the garage, doing extra household chores—to earn extra spending money.

If so, you know what hard work is.

What if you save $1 a day in a jar for 10 years?

Make your money do the work!

How would you like to make your money work for you? You can—by saving at the credit union.

Deposits in your savings account earn interest (what your credit union might call a dividend). The more you save and the longer you save, the harder your money works for you.

Can you save $1 a day? If you save a dollar a day for 10 years in a jar in your room, how much would you have at the end of 10 years? Roll your mouse over the magician's hat on the right to reveal the answer.

What if you invest $1 a day in your credit union for 10 years?

Saving money—that is, just not spending it—really adds up.

Now, how about you collect your spare change every day in a box or jar?

Then, take $7 out once a week and invest it in an account at your credit union. Have fun with the rest!

This is called a periodic investment. Assume the interest rates stay fixed at 2.2%

Roll your mouse over the magician's hat on the left to reveal the total amount of money you'd have in your account after 10 years.

What if you invest $3,640 in your credit union for 10 years? When you invest your savings you get even more money! Prove it with AJ's periodic investment calculator.

Now suppose you invest $3,640 in your credit union savings account and leave it there for 10 years?

This is called a lump-sum investment. Assume the interest rate remains 2.2% the whole time.

Roll your mouse over the magician's hat on the right to reveal the total amount of money you'd have in your account.

Now that's BIG money! Try it with AJ's lump-sum investment calculator.

Keep reading to find out what's going on...

EECU What makes credit unions so great? Members like you. Every dollar you invest in your credit union earns you money while other members borrow it. When you're ready for a loan, other members' savings will be there to help you out at the lowest possible cost.