School Spotlight: West Students Learn Budgeting Basics
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| LME students rotate to different stations to choose their life essentials (food, clothing, transportation, etc.). |
Students begin Mad City Money by choosing a profession with a set salary. After they learn about credit card debt, student loan payments, and setting a monthly budget, they are tasked to choose their transportation, housing, child care, home essentials, food, clothing, etc. The goal is for students to build a monthly budget with $100 left in their checking account. Here are some pictures of West Middle School 7th and 8th grade LME students participating in Mad City Money.
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| Community Financial staff and parent volunteers assist students at each station. |
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| Community Financial staff and parent volunteers assist students at each station. |
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| A student works on the final copy of her monthly budget. Will she have $100 left? |
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| Education Partnership Coordinator, Julie Blaylock, instructs 6th grade students about what a balanced budget looks like. |
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| Students figuring out if their budget is balanced… will they need to eat some Skittles® to balance? |
Budgeting as Adults
There are multiple decisions to consider in creating a budget as an adult. Luckily, through simulations like the ones shown above, students learn the basics in how to make money-smart choices at an early age. Adults, however, often navigate the world of credit cards, debt, loans etc. on their own with very little knowledge and/or practice in how to manage it. The resources listed below can help. Check them out to find support with budgeting and other finances:
• Community Financial Money Matter$ eLearning Center
• Community Financial - Financial Resource Center
• Smart About Money Resources
Your Turn: Which financial resources do you find the most helpful in constructing a budget?
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