Teaching Teens Real-World Financial Skills: First Credit Union’s Mad City Money Returns

Posted by Alyse Knudsen on April 21, 2025

Students with radio personality Charlie Huero

On April 2, First Credit Union hosted Mad City Money, an interactive budgeting experience for teens, at Chandler-Gilbert Community College – Pecos Campus for 47 teens.

April is both Financial Literacy Month and Credit Union Youth Month, making it the perfect time to educate young people about the importance of smart money management. In today’s fast-paced world, financial literacy is more critical than ever — yet many young people enter adulthood without essential money management skills. To help bridge this gap, First Credit Union, in partnership with Hot 97.5 and radio personality Charlie Huero, hosted the hands-on financial learning experience designed to teach teens how to manage money in the real world.

The free, two-hour, immersive event challenged participants to navigate real-life financial decisions, from rent and groceries to transportation and childcare. The goal? To equip teens with the knowledge and confidence to make smart financial choices as they prepare for their futures.

The Importance of Financial Education

Despite the importance of financial literacy, only 22.7% of high school students in the U.S. have access to personal finance courses. A study by the National Endowment for Financial Education (NEFE) found that one in five U.S. teens lacks basic financial skills — a gap that First Credit Union is committed to addressing.

“We’re helping to fill that gap and equip young people with the financial knowledge they need to make good decisions for their future,” said Jay Curtis, President and CEO of First Credit Union. “By cultivating financial literacy early on, we’re helping to build a generation that is confident, empowered, and prepared for lifelong financial success.”

A Hands-On Approach to Learning

Mad City Money provided more than just a lecture on budgeting — it placed teens directly into a simulated financial environment where they had to make real-world choices. Each participant, aged 13-19, received a fictional identity, complete with a career, salary, family, and even some debt. They then made critical financial decisions, from choosing housing and transportation to balancing everyday expenses.

Throughout the experience, participants learned firsthand about the challenges of managing a budget, prioritizing needs over wants, and dealing with unexpected financial situations. The event wrapped up with a reflection session, where teens discussed their key takeaways and how they plan to apply their new financial knowledge in real life.

A Successful Event with Lasting Impact

Beyond gaining valuable financial skills, attendees enjoyed complimentary refreshments and dinner during the event. As an added incentive, First Credit Union offered exclusive rewards to participants, including:

• Earn $5 for opening a new savings account.
• Earn $50 for opening a new checking account — just for participating!

For more information about First Credit Union and its commitment to financial education, visit firstcu.net.

Posted in Arizona, Regional Member News.