Pictured: Manatee Chamber's Big Bank Theory program. Photo courtesy of Manatee Chamber.

“I didn’t know you had to pay to have your garbage picked-up!”

“Wow, a high school diploma alone does not get me the job I want.”

“Adulting is expensive!”

Quotes like these coming from local high schoolers are golden nuggets each year when the Manatee Chamber of Commerce presents our Big Bank Theory program at high schools across Manatee County. The experience is designed to give high school seniors a firsthand look at the financial realities of adult life.

Through an engaging, hands-on simulation, students learn essential money management skills, including budgeting, saving, paying bills, and making informed spending decisions. Each year the feedback we receive from the students is telling. They share with us their surprise at the cost of housing, insurance, and childcare. As they work through the two-day activity, they seriously consider their priorities and the sacrifices they are willing to make (or not) in order to make their hypothetical monthly budget work.

More than just a classroom lesson, the Big Bank Theory challenges students to navigate real-world financial scenarios and understand the connection between education, career opportunities, and earning potential. The experience helps build financial confidence and prepares young adults for future success. Over the course of two days at each school, we transform the gymnasium into a setting for students to navigate one of more than 150 hypothetical profiles that dictate their education level, career, monthly salary, and family – and the typical expenses they would need to cover as a 25 year old working adult in our region.

I liken it to a large scale version of the game of “Life.” You Gen Xers out there likely remember it with me – the little cars with the pink and blue pegs representing members of your pretend family, the spinner, and the cards that present you with the real life situations – many with financial impacts – that you have to navigate for yourself and your game-generated family. Unexpected medical bill? Hope you have savings! Flat tire? Hope you can get it fixed and get to work on time.

The success of the Big Bank Theory relies on the support of dedicated community and business volunteers whose participation can make a lasting difference in a student's understanding of personal finance. If this idea piques your interest, there are volunteer opportunities available for you. We make it easy with great volunteer materials and training.

• October 13 & 14 - Lakewood Ranch High School
• October 20 & 21 - Manatee High School
• October 29 & 30 - Palmetto High School
• November 3 & 4 - Bayshore High School
• November 18 & 19 - Southeast High School
• December 1 & 2 - Braden River High School
• December 10 & 11 - Parrish Community High School

Additional school dates will be posted on our Manatee Chamber website as they are confirmed. To learn more and to register to volunteer, visit ManateeChamber.com/BigBank or reach out to Deborah Perry at DeborahP@ManateeChamber.com.

Jacki Dezelski, IOM is the President and CEO of the Manatee Chamber of Commerce.

Pictured: Manatee Chamber's Big Bank Theory program. Photo courtesy of Manatee Chamber.