WESTconsin Credit Union to Host Financial Simulation Event

WESTERN, WI—WESTconsin Credit Union and the Menomonie Area Chamber of Commerce are partnering with Menomonie High School to give students a taste of the real world with the Mad City Money simulation. On Wednesday, November 6, over 240 juniors will participate in a real-life simulation where they can make their own decisions about money, spending habits, and creating a budget.

The students will transform into adults with occupations, salaries, kids, a spouse, and debt. Throughout the simulation, students will be encouraged to build a monthly budget and stay within their limits while visiting nine merchants in Mad City to purchase housing, transportation, food, daycare, and other needs. To successfully complete the simulation, students need to finish without a negative balance or a balance over $100.

“Mad City Money is part of WESTconsin’s ongoing commitment to empower local students with the financial knowledge they need to succeed,” said Jennifer Rathke, Vice President – Member Advocacy. “With the unique, hands-on approach, students learn the importance of financial education in a fun and engaging way, helping prepare them for a successful future and building a stronger community financially.”

The event will be hosted at Menomonie High School from 8:45 a.m.–12:15 p.m. Over 40 volunteers from 10 businesses in the Menomonie area will be helping with the event.

WESTconsin Credit Union has been serving members since 1939, and membership is open to anyone who lives or works in the Wisconsin counties of Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Rusk, St. Croix, Sawyer, Taylor, Trempealeau, and Washburn, or the Minnesota counties of Anoka, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Wabasha, and Washington, with a $5 minimum deposit in a Membership Savings Account. Credit unions are financial institutions owned by their accountholders, and member funds are federally insured by the National Credit Union Administration (NCUA) up to at least $250,000.