Henry Ford II business students learn the real costs of the real world

Henry Ford II High School business students got a taste of the costs of the real world at a recent Mad City Money simulation.

Thanks to Central Macomb Credit Union, students in two HF II finance classes took part in the future real world simulation complete with an occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt and medical insurance payments.

“The students had a great time and thought it was a very realstic situation,” said business teacher Tina Steele, who coordinated the program with teacher Jennifer DeClerck. “They were surprised how expensive day care is and the other costs they had to include in their budgets.”

The challenge? Visit merchants to select housing, transportation, food, household necessities, clothing, day care and other wants and needs while building a budget. The credit union has an office in town, too.

Mad City Money allows participants to make mistakes - and suffer the consequences of their decisions - in a realistic, but safe environment.

Most participants are surprised to learn “I can’t have a big house and a new truck on my salary and still pay for day care and groceries.″

Once the shock wears off, they reevaluate choices and manage their money effectively.