Local students learn real world financial skills

Mia Morelli - Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL) - Lakewood Ranch High School (LHRS) seniors are preparing for life beyond the classroom, where financial decisions become an important part of everyday life. To help students understand the responsibilities of managing money, macroeconomics teachers bring their classes to an interactive activity called “The Big Bank Theory,” which gives students a hands-on experience of budgeting, spending and saving.

Through the activity, students visit different stations where they can either gain or lose money, requiring them to keep track of their finances and make decisions about how to manage their funds. The experience allows students to see how quickly expenses can add up and why planning ahead is important.

Before participating, senior Avery Hackman had heard about the activity from previous seniors but did not know what to expect.

“I learned about it from previous seniors, but I didn’t know that the volunteers were going to help me figure out how to budget my money,” said Hackman. “This activity showed me that there’s a lot more than just spending and buying.”

For senior Emily Augustine, the activity highlighted the involvement of financial decisions. Students were required to calculate their changing balances as they gained or spent money.

“During the activity, I had to visit different stations where I would either lose or gain money,” said Augustine. “I managed my money by using a sheet to calculate different totals after spending.”

Keeping track of expenses helped students recognize the importance of understanding where their money goes. Rather than simply spending what they had, participants had to consider how their decisions affected their remaining funds.

“I’m learning that money management and financial decisions aren’t as simple as I thought,” Augustine emphasized.

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The activity also encouraged students to think about the financial responsibilities they will face after high school. Expenses such as college tuition, rent and groceries can require careful planning, especially for young adults managing their own finances for the first time.

LRHS College and Career Adviser Vito Bavaro said Monday’s event was successful.

“It went very well,” he said. “I think the kids get a lot out of it and the vendors enjoyed themselves.”

Senior Kelsi Scott said the experience provided a glance into the expectations students will encounter as they become more independent.

“It gives you a real-life perspective on the challenges and expectations of adulthood,” said Scott.

For Augustine, seeing the numbers add up made budgeting and saving feel more relevant to her future.

“I feel like figuring out my savings and getting to see how much I spent was really eye-opening, I feel more prepared for the future and life after high school,” said Augustine.

As LRHS seniors prepare to take their next steps after graduation, “The Big Bank Theory” offers an opportunity to practice financial decision-making in a setting that connects classroom concepts to real-world responsibilities. By learning to track expenses, analyze spending and consider savings, students can begin building skills that will help them make more informed financial decisions beyond high school.