CICERO-NORTH SYRACUSE, NY (WSYR-TV) — Students at Cicero-North Syracuse High School are learning first-hand how to budget their money before they head out into the real world.

Students in the Adulting 101 class at C-NS High School were up for the challenge on Tuesday, November 12th. They were given the task of visiting 12 stations, where they were asked to buy the necessities of life from each one depending on their job, salary. , family and more.

“It’s like playing the game of life,” said Kurt Bartenstein, community impact manager at Empower Federal Credit Union.

It’s all part of the Mad City Money program, offered through Empower Federal Credit Union.

“They’re really nervous to go out on their own and they know their guardian’s money is going to run out and their Uber money is going to run out,” said Allison Salisbury, Adulting 101 teacher at C-NS High School.

During the program, students are given a variety of books with an obstacle to overcome.

“They actually gave me a non-accepted card that was for my phone, so I have to pay $200 to fix it, which is kind of stupid because I had extra money saved up for everything I wanted” , said Ariyana Pinkett, senior at C. -NS High School.

Whether it’s their phone breaking or their pet getting sick, the program challenges students to figure out what to do with the money they have.

“I tell my students that I want them to struggle here in my classroom so that when they go out into the real world, if they hit a bump in the road, at least here they’re supported and we can help them and work it out . this,” Salisbury said.

Salisbury says the curriculum in Adulting 101 is based on students’ fears. Depending on their fears, each class has a different curriculum. Salisbury says Tuesday’s class fears real-life banking and their budget.

“I’m afraid I won’t make enough money. I have this dream for myself and I want to be able to support my family and myself and not have to worry about where the money is going to come from,” said Carynna Lucia, a senior at C-NS High School.

“If you can, save your money. Once you get a paycheck, don’t just spend it all because eventually you might need that money,” Pinkett said.

Other students tell NewsChannel 9 they have a better understanding of how the budget works and aren’t as worried after participating in the Mad City Money program.

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