HOME CENTS

HOME CENTS

Real-World Financial Education for Homeschool & Virtual Students

Step into the world of smart money habits with Home Cents — an 8-session financial capability program that combines real-world field experiences, hands-on activities, family engagement, and financial skill-building. 4th through 12th grade students develop practical knowledge in budgeting, banking, credit, investing, entrepreneurship, and smart financial decision-making while learning directly from professionals in their community.

Home Cents transforms everyday environments into vibrant classrooms, where students learn not by memorizing, but by experiencing. Through biweekly field trips to local banks, businesses, and community organizations, students uncover the story of money: how it’s earned, how it’s spent, how it’s saved, and how it can be shared to build a better future.

Each outing is thoughtfully curated to connect real-world experiences with foundational financial concepts. Whether it’s learning how a bank works, understanding the value of budgeting at a grocery store, or discovering the power of giving at a local nonprofit, students engage with money in ways that are tangible, relatable, and fun.

There are no desks or worksheets here—just real places, real people, and real lessons that stick.

Students don’t just learn how to manage money—they learn how to think about it with purpose. They ask questions, make observations, and reflect on how small decisions can lead to big outcomes. With guidance from trusted adults and peers, they begin to build a mindset of wealth that goes beyond dollars and cents.

Home Cents is more than a program—it’s a movement toward empowered, informed, and compassionate financial futures.

FINANCIAL LITERACY BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Many young people grow up without learning how money really works. Some don’t know how to budget. Others aren’t sure how credit works or how to save for the future. And for students who learn outside of traditional schools, these lessons can be even harder to find.

Home Cents helps close that gap.

By taking students on field trips into the real world, this program gives them the chance to see, ask, and understand. They visit banks, meet local business owners, learn from financial professionals, and start building habits that will help them for years to come.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & COMMITMENT

Building Financial Confidence, One Field Trip At A Time

Home Cents is designed for homeschool and virtual students—and parents who want their children to build strong financial literacy skills—by offering engaging, real-world experiences that bring money management to life. To help us create the best learning environment possible, we ask that families meet the following requirements before joining the program.

These guidelines ensure that each student is prepared to fully take part in the field trips, follow along with the lessons, and grow with their group. Students who meet the criteria below will be recognized with a Certificate of Achievement at the end of the program.

Qualifications and Commitment Requirements:

To qualify for this program, students must be entering in grades 4th through 12th. Students should be able to participate independently in field trips and group discussions.

At least one parent or guardian must have a verified address in Orange County, FL. A parent or guardian is required to complete the registration process and agree to all program policies.

Students must have reliable transportation to and from all scheduled field trip locations.

The program is open to all homeschool or virtual school students, whether full-time or part-time, residing in Orange, Seminole, or Osceola counties.

All students are required to complete both a Pre-Test and a Post-Test assessment to measure their growth in financial literacy and confidence.

All students must submit a report card or progress report prior to the start of the program.

Students must attend at least 85% of sessions (7 out of 8 field trips) to remain in good standing.

Active participation, curiosity, and respectful interaction with mentors, speakers, and peers are essential.

Timeframe:

An orientation session will be held on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, via Zoom.

The program will take place from September 2026 to January 2027, with field trips scheduled for every other Wednesday. Field trip dates will be scheduled by grade level bracket:

Grades 4th-6th:
- 9/23/2026
- 10/7/2026
- 10/21/2026
- 11/4/2026
- 11/18/2026
- 12/9/2026
- 1/13/2026
- 1/27/2026

Grades 7th-12th
- 9/30/2026
- 10/14/2026
- 10/28/2026
- 11/11/2026
- 12/2/2026
- 12/16/2026
- 1/20/2026
- 1/27/2026

All field trips will be held from 11 AM to 12:30 PM.

All field trips are in-person at various locations.

Full attendance is strongly encouraged to complete the program and receive the Certificate of Achievement.

WHY ENROLL IN HOME CENTS?

A Field Trip Experience That Pays Off

GETTING
STARTED

Every child should have the chance to learn how money works—and how to use it wisely. Home Cents gives homeschool students the opportunity to explore real-world financial skills in simple, meaningful ways.

Through hands-on field trips, supportive instruction, and practical lessons, students begin to build habits that can shape their future. Whether they’re learning how to budget, save, or ask the right questions, this program helps them take the first steps toward confidence and independence.

Learn Money Skills That Matter (C.O.I.N Financial Capability Areas)

Home Cents is built on the 8 C.O.I.N. Financial Capability Areas:

Behavioral Economics
Credit & Debt
Spending & Saving
Lending & Loans
Generational Wealth
Investor Education
Student Entrepreneurship
Taxation

Build Confidence with Everyday Decisions
Home Cents helps students set simple goals, ask thoughtful questions, and feel more sure of themselves when it comes to money.

Take Learning Beyond the Workbook
This isn’t just reading or writing—it’s doing. Students learn by walking through businesses, visiting banks, and seeing how money works in the world around them.

Strengthen Your Family's Money Conversations
With take-home tools and shared experiences, parents can keep the learning going at home in natural, meaningful ways.

Connect with Professionals in Your Community
Students meet people who use money skills in their jobs—from bankers and business owners to counselors and creatives.

Explore Real Career Paths
Every field trip offers a glimpse into future possibilities—helping students imagine who they can be and what they can do.

Grow Financial Literacy Early
Instead of waiting until high school or adulthood, kids start learning money habits now—when it’s easier to build strong foundations.

Be Part of Something Bigger
Home Cents helps close the financial literacy gap for homeschoolers and plants seeds for long-term stability and generational wealth.

Leave with a Legacy

Students will leave able to:

Build a simple budget
Understand how banks and credit unions work
Explain the difference between debit and credit
Identify responsible borrowing practices
Understand investing fundamentals
Evaluate financial choices and tradeoffs
Set financial goals
Communicate confidently about money

REGISTRATION IS OPEN

Still have questions? Email programs@8cents.org for additional assistance about this and all of our programs.

This program is sponsored in part or full by Orange County, FL.

SPONSOR OR HOST A
FIELD TRIP

WHY INVEST IN HOME CENTS?

Home Cents helps students:

Develop critical life skills
Build financial confidence
Explore careers
Increase financial capability
Strengthen economic mobility

Sponsors gain:

Meaningful community impact
Employee engagement opportunities
Workforce readiness support
Visibility among families and youth

SPONSOR HOME CENTS

HOST A FIELD TRIP

We’re calling on local businesses and community partners to help bring this real-world learning experience to life. Homeschool students in grades 4–12 are stepping out of the classroom and into the community to learn essential money skills—and your space could be where it happens.

We’re looking for businesses, banks, entrepreneurs, and professionals to host a field trip session on a Wednesday morning this fall. Whether you run a store, manage a financial office, or simply want to share how money works in your world, there’s a meaningful role for you in this program.

By opening your doors, you help young learners connect what they’re learning to real life—and show them what’s possible, one coin and one conversation at a time.

HOST A FIELD TRIP

THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSORS

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our incredible new and returning sponsors for generously contributing to the Home Cents coin jar! Your dedication to educating our future leaders is invaluable. Without your kind donations, this program would be like a wallet devoid of cash—empty! Thank you for helping us make sense of financial matters!