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A real-world experience learning financial literacy for central florida students
AbOUT the
Teach Students Money Expo
Teach Students Money Expo (TSME) presents an invaluable opportunity for middle and high school students to learn about securing their financial future. Through engaging and interactive sessions, they will master the cents and sensibility of money management. In the "Real World" simulation, students experience adulthood in Central Florida within the fictional city of "EightVille" (a new town situated between Eatonville and Zellewood). They receive a credit score and monthly income based on their desired education, career, and family situation.
As they explore various storefronts, students must decide to either spend freely or save wisely while choosing between options such as a cozy studio apartment or a spacious mansion. They need to balance their needs and wants to navigate life’s challenges without going bankrupt. The simulation features numerous businesses and over 25 storefronts run by volunteers, where students use their earned money to cover everyday expenses like rent, electricity, food, insurance, childcare, and transportation. Similar to adults, students must adhere to a budget throughout the activity and aim to conclude with a surplus. After the simulation, students speak with a financial advisor to reflect on their decisions and evaluate their financial knowledge.
our coins change communities
Why aTTEND
tEACH STUDENTS MONEY EXPO
The Teach Students Money Expo is the only reality fair in Central Florida that customizes the financial experience for each student based on real-life, real-data from the local economy. By combining financial education with civic engagement, we equip students not just with money skills but also with a deeper understanding of how their financial decisions impact their community and their future. Unlike other expos, TSME uses real-world scenarios tailored to the financial climate of Central Florida, ensuring every student walks away with practical, actionable knowledge they can apply immediately. From budgeting to managing student loans, and from understanding credit scores to learning about financial social work, we prepare students for the financial realities they’ll face after graduation—and give them the tools to change their economic future.
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Through our financial social work approach, we integrate economic education with personal empowerment. We focus on helping students break down barriers to financial success while also considering how their personal financial health can contribute to their community’s overall economic growth.
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Attendees will:
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Gain hands-on financial skills directly applicable to their lives in Central Florida, including how to manage finances responsibly and make informed choices
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Engage in financial decision-making using accurate data and local economic factors, understanding how their actions affect their personal and community financial well-being.
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Discover how to turn their dreams into financial goals with guidance from experts, mentors, and community leaders, combining financial literacy with community involvement.
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Win prizes for financial responsibility and savvy decision-making, reinforcing positive behaviors and rewarding students for taking charge of their financial futures.
“I have to tell you – this is the first time my teenage son has willingly, without being asked, talked to me about something that happened today. He asked us many questions about money management and would not quit talking about the Teach Students Money Expo simulation. Thanks for grabbing his attention and introducing finance in a way I could not.”
objectives for
Teach Students Money Expo
Our expo combines the National Standards in Personal Financial Education by the Council for Economic Education (CEE), the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy (Jump$tart), and Florida’s State Academic Standards for Social Studies 9-12 Financial Literacy Strand. By the end of the expo, students will:
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Reflect on how their values affect financial decisions and respect others’ perspectives and experiences (SS.912.FL.1.1).
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Compare careers, evaluate how your education, skills, and interests affect your income, and understand how cognitive biases affect your financial decisions (SS.912.FL.1.2 and SS.912.FL.2.1).
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Recognize financial challenges and risks, develop strategies to prevent or cope with them, communicate effectively, and seek feedback and advice about your financial decisions and needs (SS.912.FL.3.1 to SS.912.FL.3.5).
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Analyze the impact of your spending and saving habits on your financial goals and adjust your behavior accordingly. Appreciate the benefits of financial literacy and express your interest and motivation to learn and improve your financial skills and knowledge (SS.912.FL.4.1 to SS.912.FL.4.5).
Companies that invest in time
sponsors of
Teach Students Money Expo
thank you sponsors
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible new and returning sponsors for generously contributing to the Teach Students Money Expo coin jar! Your dedication to educating our future leaders is invaluable. Without your kind donations, this event would be like a wallet devoid of cash—empty! Thank you for helping us make sense of financial matters!
Capital Coin sponsors:
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Neighborhood Sponsors:
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“I had a great time at the Teach Students Money Expo. I learned a lot about budgeting, and investing from the experts. It was also fun to interact with other students and share our ideas. I think this expo is very helpful for preparing us for the future.” - Aisha, 10th grade student
ICYMI: Previous reports
Teach students money expo
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Since 2019, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to the over 700 students, parents, dedicated volunteers, and supportive community members who have participated in the Teach Students Money Expo! Those fortunate enough to secure a ticket witnessed a transformative experience as students achieved significant financial breakthroughs and learned how to navigate and avoid common pitfalls associated with money management.
Click on the digital booklet to explore our previous expo results and view inspiring video testimonials!
Previous expo findings:
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49% of students stated that paying for utilities and trash services surprised them the most.
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98% of students who chose the high school diploma track begged for additional education during the expo.
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99% of students agreed tthat he Teach Students Money Expo permanently altered their financial behaviors to save and budget more.
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100% of parents reported that the expo allowed them to discuss finances with their children.