Elevate Credit Union Launches ‘Broke, Budgeting & Beyond’ to Drive Youth Financial Literacy

Elevate Credit Union has officially launched Broke, Budgeting & Beyond, a comprehensive new financial literacy guide designed specifically to help college students navigate their money with confidence.

Developed in partnership with marketing students from Munster Technological University (MTU), the publication aims to spark open, honest discussions around financial wellbeing, budgeting, and everyday money management during third-level education.

By Students, For Students

To ensure the guide directly addresses the real-world experiences of young adults today, the project was led by student talent.

MTU marketing student Lauren McCarthy managed the development of the booklet during her work placement with Elevate Credit Union, while fellow student Hailey Cullinane facilitated focus groups at MTU to gather direct insights from their peers. Both Lauren and Hailey are now in their final year of the Bachelor of Business (Hons) in Marketing at MTU.

Available in print across Elevate Credit Union branches and campus locations, as well as digitally through the Elevate website, the guide presents essential financial topics in a conversational, approachable tone.

What’s Inside Broke, Budgeting & Beyond?

The booklet breaks complex financial topics down into six practical, easy-to-read chapters:

• Budgeting & Saving: Practical strategies for stretching student income.

• Smart Borrowing: Understanding credit, loans, and managing debt responsibly.

• Investing & Entrepreneurship: Basics of growing money and starting a business.

• Navigating Risks: Candid discussions on betting, gambling, and “easy money” schemes.

• Money & Mental Health: Exploring the strong link between financial security and emotional wellbeing.

• Interactive Tools: Includes a monthly finance planner, quick cheat sheet, and a three-step action plan to help students put advice into practice immediately.

A Commitment to Community & Lifelong Learning

Speaking at the launch, Gary Hanrahan, Marketing Manager at Elevate Credit Union, highlighted the importance of starting financial education early:

"Starting college brings new independence, and learning how to manage money is a crucial part of that transition. We designed this guide to get young people talking about money early—creating something relatable and honest that students would actually want to read."

"Lauren and Hailey brought an essential student perspective to the project, ensuring we tackled issues that matter to their peers, including gambling risks and financial anxiety. Giving placement students real ownership of a project like this has been an incredibly worthwhile investment for Elevate, resulting in a resource we are proud to share across our community."

Dr Katie Power, Head of the Department of Marketing and International Business at MTU, added:

"This project is a fantastic example of what university-industry partnerships can accomplish. Lauren and Hailey had the opportunity to address an important social topic while gaining real-world marketing experience. Elevate’s collaborative approach demonstrates how local organisations and students can work together to deliver real value for the wider community."

Expanding the Financial Literacy Series

Broke, Budgeting & Beyond represents the third instalment in Elevate Credit Union’s ongoing financial literacy initiative, which now spans primary school, secondary school, and third-level education. The series first launched in January 2025 with educational modules for primary pupils, created alongside former MTU placement student Ceili Byrne, followed by a secondary school guide.

Access the Guide Today

The digital edition of Broke, Budgeting & Beyond is available to read and download now:

👉 Click here to read 'Broke, Budgeting & Beyond' Online 

Printed copies can also be picked up at your local Elevate Credit Union branch or at student information points across MTU campuses.