THUNDER BAY -- High school students in Thunder Bay are getting a dose of financial education this week mixed with a few laughs as well.
Funny Money is a program aimed at teaching grade 11 and 12 students how to navigate the financial complexities of adult life.
Students learn about how budgets are made, why and how they fail, and how to manage savings and credit.
The program uses simple catchphrases and games to keep students engaged, and help the lessons stick.
Co-founder James Cunningham said they speak to senior students, because they're often earning their first pay cheques, and may need guidance.
Cunningham said schools tend to assume financial education is being taught within the home, but there's millions of students that are graduating but almost no financial literacy skills because they don't talk about it at home.
"Honestly, many students are afraid to talk about money, especially, when it comes to getting into debt," Cunningham said.
"Most students will get themselves into credit card debt or student loan debt and they will not tell their parents, because they know their parents are going to be upset."
Cunningham added that parents should take care to introduce budgeting to children, showing them how household expenses are managed responsibly
This is the second of six Funny Money talks scheduled for Thunder Bay.
The program is co-sponsored by Meridian Credit Union, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, and the Ontario government.
