Could you live on $3,000 a month? How about $1,500?
That’s the question a group of students at Boston International Newcomers Academy (BINCA) recently tackled as part of a financial literacy lesson led by local finance professionals. Using worksheets and calculators, students weighed choices many adults face every day, including transportation costs, housing expenses and how rising gas prices can affect a budget.
While the dollar amounts don’t exactly reflect the reality of living in Boston, where the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is $2,576, according to Zillow, Lauren Brady, a senior vice president at Bank of America, said the purpose of the activity is to help the students understand the budgeting process.
“Listen, some months you might be going to a concert, so I’m not doing anything else for the next three months, because I really want to see that concert,” she said as she explained to students how they might need to adjust their spending plans month to month.
Brady was joined by Rosalis Pimentel, another Bank of America employee in providing the lesson through a partnership between Boston Public Schools and the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation. The program connects students with financial professionals who help teach practical money-management skills.
“You need to stay disciplined,” Pimentel told students. “What is your goal? What would you like to accomplish?”
The lesson took place during the BINCA AP Business class where many students have an interest in entrepreneurship and finance.
“My goals are to create products people need,” said a student named Jesutofunmi. “For example, groceries, laundry and gas stations.”
More personal finance news
Social Security
Oct 14
Social Security COLA 2027: Here's how much more money retirees will get next year
Personal finance
Oct 7
How travel credit cards can help you save money — and cost, too
Personal finance
Sep 16
Fed raises rates for first time since 2023 | What does it mean for you?
She said adding up daily expenses on paper helps prepare her for what’s next.
“I feel like it made me think more about what my future is going to look like,” Jesutofunmi said.
The partnership has connected more than 1,000 students with financial professionals at eight 7-12th grade schools across Boston over the last two years, according to Ann Clark, Development Officer for Strategy, Partnerships and Innovation for the Boston Public Schools.
“This initiative started because the students were really asking for it. They are already out in the world, some of them with jobs, some of them with deep family responsibilities where it necessitates that they really understand the world of finance around them,” said Clark. “What does all that on my paycheck mean? Why might I put money in a bank rather than at a check cashing place? Those are the kinds of questions that our students come to the table with. And what I’m excited about is the financial professionals are really engaging the students on those kinds of questions.”
The teacher of this classroom at BINCA says the program provides an important link between classroom learning and real-world experience.
“It’s so easy for them to think that what they’re doing in the classroom is not connected to the outside world,” said Chris Porazzo, a teacher at Boston International Newcomers Academy. “But when we have people come in, they can see the connection, and that’s invaluable.”
Financial literacy education remains a challenge in many Massachusetts schools. A state task force report on financial education found that a lack of classroom time is the biggest barrier to teaching personal finance.
“The school day, it’s finite, it’s packed. It’s all these obligations that the students have. And so how do we find those places where we can embed financial literacy to support their learning that doesn’t totally compete with their other academic work?” said Mike Holland, director of workforce development strategy at the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation. “In some cases, it’s part of a math class or social studies class or career prep class, just finding those ways to get that content into the school day has been a challenge, but it’s something that we’re addressing.”
As for these students, Brady says they are on the right track: “I think one of the biggest things that surprises me is how much money they end up having left over when we go through the budget exercise. You know, you expect teenagers to spend their money at a lot of different places, not really thinking about where they’re spending it or how much is left over. And they were really thoughtful in how they spent their money on the budget exercise and then how much money they have left over and where they want to use it, which is a lot of times to save for their future, which is really important and what we want to make sure they take away.”
Boston Public Schools is looking to expand the program to additional schools with the help of more finance professionals willing to volunteer in classrooms. People interested in participating can contact the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Foundation for more information.
| # | Наименование новости | Тональность | Информативность | Дата публикации |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Report finds thousands of allegations about sex misconduct at Boston schools | 0 | 8 | 22-10-2026 |
| 2 | Blue Hill Ave. revamp spurs Boston City Council to summon MBTA chief | 0 | 5.9 | 22-10-2026 |
| 3 | Who can afford to get ahead in America? | 0 | 8.8 | 24-03-2026 |
| 4 | Mass. State Police announce major reforms at academy ahead of next recruit class | 0 | 8.06 | 23-10-2026 |
| 5 | Driver accused of holding pregnant woman hostage during police chase on I-93 in Boston | 0 | 7.34 | 12-08-2026 |
| 6 | 27-year-old first-grade teacher earning $63,000 a year: The ‘majority' of teachers I know have a side gig to earn extra money | 0 | 5 | 31-07-2025 |
| 7 | Portland students learn entrepreneurship through Lemonade Day program | 0 | 5.68 | 30-07-2026 |
| 8 | Учащимся с первого по девятый класс будут преподавать финансовую грамотность | 0 | 0 | 08-07-2021 |
| 9 | Tell us how you are (or aren't) Affording America | 0 | 10.66 | 15-09-2026 |
| 10 | 💬Учебный год в [club159722905|1-11 классах нашей школы] начался с разговора ... | 0 | 7.07 | 02-09-2026 |