Just a month into the school year and a host of financial education and mentoring lessons have kicked off across southeastern Wisconsin and Chicago. Here are two snapshots from classes on Friday at Dominican High School and Carmen High School of Science and Technology – South.

Ten students in educator Cora Byrne’s personal finance elective at Dominican H.S. started their Money Sense class reviewing different ways to keep a budget. Volunteer Sandra Dunst, from MGIC, was excited to hear the range of digital and written budgeting being used by the nine seniors and one junior in the class.

Thinking of her own college-aged son – “one of those people who doesn’t want to stop into a bank” – Dunst suggested students should regularly check in on online bank accounts and apps.

“If you’re one of those people who only wants to do electronic banking, you’ll have to be careful,” said Dunst, pictured at left.

One student, Genesis, said she’s been diligent to turn push notifications “on” with her online bank account. For Morgan, checking the app on her phone from her first bank account gives her peace of mind.

“I go in, like, multiple times a day to check it,” Morgan said.

On the other side of town, the first Money Coach session of the year kicked off for about 10 teens at Carmen – South in Milwaukee. It was homecoming weekend, evident in the Minnie Mouse ears worn by a few students as part of that day’s dress-up theme.

After an overview of this semester’s Money Coach plans, the three coaches – Mary Barnum (MPS), Jeff Debele (General Mills) and Chris Steinhafel (WiRED Properties), in that order at right – got to know their mentees in a small-group goal-setting activity. Mary’s two seniors started out shy when they began talking about spending and saving. But everyone opened up and even chuckled as Mary revealed her weakness for shopping at a certain big-box retailer.

“For me, I have to put ‘Target’ into my budget because I know it’s going to happen,” she said. “Budgets are very personal.”

In all of our programs, we’re aiming to reach nearly 9,000 teens this school year. That will take more dynamic volunteers and dedication school and community partners than ever. To see our goals for this school year and how you can make a huge impact, visit here.