HOUSTON (October 19, 2023) – The popular financial literacy game Mad City Money was held at Smart Financial Centre on Wednesday, October 18th as part of Smart Financial Credit Union's on-going financial literacy initiatives. Mad City Money is a hands-on financial simulation that gives teens and young adults a taste of real-world finances. Students were assigned an occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt and credit score as they took on the role of adults who must decide between their wants and needs as they live and work in Mad City. The goal is to simulate the realities of approaching financial responsibilities and to teach students the tools needed to make better financial decisions. Over 30 volunteers from Smart Financial Credit Union and Smart Financial Centre were on hand to help run the simulation.

The benefits of the Mad City Money programs are to give students the opportunity to:

• Practice budgeting in realistic circumstances

• Develop good judgment regarding spending

• Identify and experience the consequences of poor decisions

• Understand budgeting is a necessary step in good money management

Students moved through various stations to purchase housing, transportation, food, clothing, household necessities, and daycare along with other needs and wants. The Fickle Finger of Fate randomly visited each participant and distributed unexpected windfalls and unplanned expenses. Participants used debit cards for their purchases and had to balance both their debit card registers and budgets in order to win. Students from Hastings High School, Stafford High School, George Ranch High School and Fulshear High School were selected by teachers to participate in the event as well as a school wide registration.

ABOUT SMART FINANCIAL

Smart Financial is one of the oldest and most well-established credit unions in the Houston region since opening its doors in 1934. With 13 locations in Greater Houston, Smart Financial is a state-chartered credit union that is locally owned and operated by its members and focuses on people, not profits. Smart Financial provides a full range of financial services to over 65,000 members with a passion and purpose for helping people reach their lifelong dreams. In 2016, Smart Financial became the naming rights sponsor of Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas, which has become one of the top mid-sized concert venues in the world. Smart Financial created a foundation in 2013 that has raised over $600,000 for scholarships to Houston area students as well as support for many local Houston charities. For more information, visit www.smartcu.org or engage with Smart Financial Credit Union on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Andrew Huang
Smart Financial Credit Union
o: 713.407.1833 | ahuang@smartcu.org

Corbin Wilson
Smart Financial Credit Union
o: 713.407.1913 | corbinw@smartcu.org