Mad City Money: Money Management Program for Teens

Each summer Travis Credit Union sponsors a unique program for high school students called Mad City Money (MCM). These programs are a simulation that transports high school students into future adulthood.  Mad City Money gives youth a taste of the real world – complete with occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments.

Students are taught how to create a budget based on their assigned income and family situation and are asked to visit merchants in Mad City to choose their housing, transportation and purchase their other needs and wants.  They are randomly visited by the “Fickle Finger of Fate” during the simulation which distributes unexpected windfalls and unplanned expenses.

In Mad City there are nine merchants including:  car dealer, banker, entertainment, grocery store/restaurant, home stuff, kid care, the mall, realtor, credit union and a clothing and accessories store. The simulation takes about 3 ½ hours on a week day afternoon and will begin with teaching students how to write a check and use a check register.

The credit union is asking local businesses in our surrounding communities to volunteer your time for this worthwhile life skill. If you would like to help with this vital program designed for high school students by volunteering or would like more information please visit our page at https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1NG0iHu405_T7myNiQaiWLid5QcgPGx4kyVh8vsVcRnY/viewform?c=0&w=1

And if you have any questions please contact:

Jessica Leal

Financial Education Officer

Travis Credit Union

707-469-1784
jleal@traviscu.org