This December Day Air Credit Union once again partnered with Centerville High School to host its annual Mad City Money Financial Reality Day, an interactive financial education experience designed to prepare students for real-life money management. This year, the event reached over 350 students enrolled in financial literacy, business and entrepreneurship courses.
Mad City Money is a hands-on simulation where students take on the roles of working adults with assigned careers, incomes, and family situations. During the simulation, students visited a series of stations to budget their “monthly income” across key expense categories including housing, transportation, groceries, childcare, entertainment, personal care, and savings. Along the way, they encountered unexpected challenges and learned how financial decisions affect their overall financial wellbeing.
The event was adapted to fit the school’s 50-minute class periods, while still delivering a meaningful and realistic experience. Day Air’s Community Development team collaborated closely with the Centerville Business Academy to ensure the program aligned with Ohio’s financial literacy graduation requirement, which began with the Class of 2026.
“Each year we’re blown away by how engaged the students are and how much they take away from this simulation,” said Amy Cline, Director of Member Services at Day Air Credit Union. “Learning how to budget, plan, and adapt financially before graduation gives them a real advantage in life. We’re proud to be part of that journey.”
This initiative is part of Day Air’s ongoing commitment to empowering young people through financial education and community outreach. The credit union looks forward to expanding these efforts in more classrooms across the Miami Valley.