March is known for its Women’s History Month celebration, but it’s also Credit Education Month, which is something we need to get into. That’s why award-winning multihyphenate Jennifer Hudson has teamed up with Credit One Bank to raise awareness about the importance of financial education.
Discussing finances can feel awkward, but with the help of Credit One’s New game, “Cards on the Table,” it doesn’t have to be. The game allows people to discuss money management and learn tips and tricks along the way, making it easier to learn and teach others practical credit management practices. EBONY got to chat with Hudson about her partnership with Credit Education Month, how she’s teaching her son financial literacy, and more.
EBONY: Tell us about your partnership with Credit One Bank. Why did it make sense for you to join forces?
Jennifer Hudson: It’s credit education month, and I’m teaming up with Credit One Bank to launch our credit education game called “Cards on the Table,” and I think it’s so necessary, because I have a 16-year-old son, and I’m doing everything I can to teach him about credit before he turns 18. This game is the perfect way to sneak him into it because it’s hard to keep their attention, so in that form, I’m able to teach him and educate him about financial wisdom. I felt like this was the right fit for me to help him prepare for his future.
I have a nine-year-old, so I get it.
That means you’re not too far behind, so you can just start early. I wish I had started sooner, and what I also love about what Credit One Bank is doing is that it’s donating $40K to the Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada. That is the nation’s largest organization dedicated to financial literacy for youth. And they start really young, and I’m like, why hasn’t this been in schools? Because I wasn’t taught these things, we get this house of knowledge, so it excites me. So I think it’s so necessary, you know.
The game looks really fun, too. Tell us about some of the prompts and how to play, because it does foster important conversations in a way that helps you let your guard down.
It can be as simple as, “What’s your favorite thing you’ve ever bought?” or tips on how to protect your credit, like do not max out that credit card. We all think that as soon as we get that credit card and reach the $1,000 limit, it’s free money. But we have to gently remind you that no, you will have to pay that back, and a lot of times we don’t learn these things until it hits us in the middle of it. It’s better to learn beforehand, and this prepares you. There are a lot of different ones, and it’s a conversation. I’m constantly finding ways to do that with my son. Like, okay, how can I get his attention, and how can I teach him, point him in the right direction, and this game is such a great way to be able to do it.
When it comes to affordability, the game is free, right?
Yes, you can download the game for free, and if you do that, Credit One Bank will donate $50 for every download to the Junior Achievement of Southern Nevada, and that’s what I love about it. We need this in all our schools. Why aren’t there classes as early as grammar school, and why didn’t we have that? I’m glad that they’re offering it. I’ve learned some hard lessons from things I wasn’t taught and had to go through. I’m tryna tell you, from mother to mother, and you get to start a little sooner than me. It’s real.
For busy mothers with a lot on their plates, we know you have a lot going on, and health and wellness are something we want to pass down to our children, too. So what does your mental health hygiene look like? How do you take care of yourself?
I’m learning how to do that more and more. I’m making more time for myself, and I have pockets of peace. It’s like keeping a credit score on life, like, okay, I did this much work, so I need this much relaxation after it. But I just like to, as I tell everybody, go to your corner. That means we all get to have our self-care time. As a mom, I need my mental health to be right, too, and it takes self-care to get it done. I love sitting with my cats. I love taking walks. I love being with my boys. All I want to do is watch basketball. I want to see whatever gives me peace and centering. That is what I love to do. I love shopping, too, but I haven’t been doing it that much because I’m focusing on my credit, child!
You have a tour coming up with Josh Groban, so what can we expect from the tour, and do you have any new music coming out soon?
I do plan on getting back in the studio. Just because I said I was doing a talk show doesn’t mean I was going to stop singing, but yes, definitely more music. I’m super inspired by my son because he’s very musical and, as well, a man, Mr. Common. Between the two of them, they keep me musically inspired, so it’s motivating me to be more creative. Musically, I cannot wait to go on this tour with Josh Groban and get back out there in front of my musical fans. I’m super excited about it, so I hope y’all come on out and let’s have a good time.