Mad City Money is an interactive financial simulation designed to help 8th and/or 12th grade students experience real-world money decisions in a fun, hands-on way. During the event, students are assigned an adult life scenario (career, income, family responsibilities) and must navigate everyday expenses like housing, transportation, food, childcare, utilities and insurance. As they move through the simulation, students learn the importance of budgeting, saving, paying off debt, and how financial choices impact their overall stability.

Through participation, students gain practical skills in budgeting, prioritizing needs vs. wants, managing debt, and adapting to unexpected expenses. Mad City Money is ideal for schools, after-school programs, and high school business classes, making it a flexible option for schools that may prefer to involve a smaller group of students rather than an entire grade level. This adaptability helps schools accommodate scheduling needs while still delivering a meaningful, real-world financial education experience.