A firefighter with $15,000 in debt worries aloud about how he’ll afford groceries this month.
Nearby, a single dad with $62,000 in the bank announces that, considering he doesn’t need to budget for a fancy anniversary dinner this year, he’s considering a car loan.
While people aren’t usually so candid with the money talk, this is what Junior Achievement’s Mobile Finance Park was made for.
Over the next few weeks, several SPS middle schools are taking part in this hands‑on simulation designed to teach secondary students how to manage a real-world budget.
Each student receives a unique profile, including a job, income, credit score, debt, and family status. Community volunteers then walk alongside their budgetary decisions about housing, groceries, childcare, vacations and more based on the financial realities of the scenario they’ve been assigned.
“It’s fast‑paced, eye‑opening, and surprisingly fun,” said Lindsay Green, Regional Program Manager for Junior Achievement of Washington. “Students walk away with a clearer picture of what adult life looks like and what it actually costs. More importantly, they gain confidence in their ability to make thoughtful financial choices now and in the future.”
Students rotate through stations – clothing, childcare, housing, transportation – to chat through what choices make sense for their situations.
Green has overheard lots of kids leaving with a deeper appreciation for the hard decisions adults need to make every month, saying things like, “I had no idea adult life was this expensive. Now I understand why my parents stress about money.”
She shared an exchange with one student this past fall:
“After completing his budget, he said, ‘Okay, but it’ll all be fine once I get next month’s paycheck.’ I reminded him that all his bills would be due again too, and you could see the realization hit,” Green recalled.
In Spokane Public Schools, the JA Financial Park experience is part of the Career, College, & Life course, in which students practice essential life skills including financial literacy and career and college planning.
Visit JA Mobile Finance Park for more information about this program.