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Some fiscally-minded seventh graders are learning money doesn't grow on trees, as the lower level of the Finance Museum on Wall Street has been transformed into what's called "Finance Park."

Students from across the city visit the traveling classroom and they're given adult-like scenarios complete with a salary. The mission: create a budget and stick with it.

Kim Westbrooks, 13, is a married homeowner with one child and a new car. She has to pay her mortgage, car insurance, hire a babysitter and so much more. She says it's an eye opening experience.

"I'm learning that when I get older...pay attention to what I'm doing," Westbrooks said.

Dozens of students involved in this program -- run by Junior Achievement -- are really paying attention now and organizers say that's exactly the point.

"We're telling them that you have to work for your money and spend it wisely," said Teacher Jerry Howard.

To drive the lesson home, students are given bank accounts along with debit cards. They can visit the bank and pay bills, too.

"We've done some surveys and we found that a third of students feel that they're not ready, they don't feel sure enough in themselves, to manage money," said Richard Schnapper of Capital One Bank.

"Kids are being asked, offered and enticed with credit and other financial instruments to work with and they're not having a basic understanding of what that is," said Junior Achievement President Joseph Peri.

The students work with financial planners who help them maintain a budget, and some students have an interesting take on being a grown-up.

Going forward, organizers say the students will have a better idea of how to plan for their financial future.