Check your bank balance: Jackson Middle School students get a crash course in managing a budget | News, Sports, Jobs

Jackson Middle School seventh-grader Madelyn Thorn (center) works on her checkbook as classmates Jillian Farley and Alexandra Somich look on. The group was able to use their math skills to budget for real-world expenses on Wednesday as part of West Virginia Central Credit Union's Mad City Money initiative. (Photo provided)

PARKERSBURG – West Virginia Central Credit Union’s Mad City Money initiative visited Jackson Middle School on Wednesday to give students the opportunity to demonstrate their math skills and create a budget for real-world expenses such as purchasing a car and a home, purchasing insurance for both, child care and purchasing groceries for a household.

“Not every child grows up with the financial experience of their parents,” Michelle Fitcher, Director of Mortgage Solutions at WVCCU, said: “We want them to have at least a little idea of ​​what it might be like and that finances can be scary, but we at the credit union are here to help them.”

Fitcher said students would be assigned different life scenarios, including marital status, employment and financial obligations such as credit card debt and child care costs. She said armed with a checkbook, they would then visit various stations to manage their expenses, including housing, transportation and food.

“Things are much more expensive than I thought,” said seventh-grader James Johnson.

He said he knew adulthood wasn't cheap, but he had no idea how expensive it actually was.

Zach Seese, assistant financial advisor at West Virginia Central Credit Union, helps seventh-grader James Johnson of Jackson Middle School balance his checkbook during the credit union's Mad City Money initiative on Wednesday. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

“This is real life. My students will talk about this experience for a long time.” Said Cherish George, seventh-grade science teacher at Jackson Middle School. “Many are humbled by the many sacrifices their families have made over the years. Some joke that they will never have children because they are so expensive. Still others claim they are overwhelmed by the responsibilities that come with adult life. And all talk about how useful it is to use their math skills when budgeting.”

Fitcher said the program aims to give students a comprehensive understanding of the financial challenges they may face as adults and equip them to make informed decisions and develop sound financial habits.

“The more we can get involved and help the children, the better.” Fitcher said. “We would be happy if other schools would also ask us for help.”

She said the credit union is currently partnering with two local middle schools, Jackson Middle School and Edison Middle School, to offer the Mad City Money program, but the credit union is open to expanding the initiative to reach more students in the community.

“Just call the credit union and ask about the Mad City Money program.” Fitcher recommended this and invited interested schools to get in touch.

Jackson Middle School students had the opportunity to put their math skills to use to budget real-world expenses on Wednesday as part of West Virginia Central Credit Union's “Mad City Money” initiative. (Photo by Douglass Huxley)

She said that by offering this innovative financial simulation, the credit union is not only educating students but also investing in the long-term financial health of the community.

“We love this WVCCU initiative and look forward to this experience every year,” Said George.

Douglass Huxley can be reached at [email protected].

Seventh-graders Gavin Coleman and Xander Bowman of Jackson Middle School work on balancing their checkbooks on Wednesday and also write checks for clothing as part of West Virginia Central Credit Union's Mad City Money initiative. (Photo provided)