Ministry launches “Dollars & Sense” to equip young Bermudians with real-world financial skills

22 March, 2026

Last week (March 19 - 20), the Ministry of Home Affairs hosted the inaugural Dollars & Sense Teen Financial Literacy Experience, a two-day immersive programme designed to deepen young Bermudians’ understanding of the cost of living and the financial decisions that shape household wellbeing.

The initiative forms part of the Ministry’s broader Affordable Bermuda Agenda, the Government’s roadmap to address the structural drivers of Bermuda’s high cost of living while strengthening household resilience through education, consumer protection, and legislative reform.

Approximately 210 secondary school students, aged 13 to 15, participated in the experience, engaging in a hands-on simulation of adult financial responsibilities. Participating schools included the Berkeley Institute, CedarBridge Academy, Bermuda Institute, Adult Education, Mount Saint Agnes Academy, Somersfield Academy, and the Bermuda Centre for Creative Learning.

The programme was further strengthened by contributions from public and private sector partners, who provided practical insights into financial decision-making.

Each student was assigned a realistic personal profile, including income and life circumstances, and guided through decision-making exercises spanning housing and rent, utilities, transportation, groceries, insurance, banking and savings, credit and debt, and unexpected expenses. The programme was designed to immerse students into real life experiences and the consequences of everyday financial choices.

The Minister of Home Affairs, the Hon. Alexa Lightbourne JP, MP, who officially opened the programme, underscored the importance of early financial awareness in today’s economic climate.

Minister Lightbourne said, “We recognise that Bermuda is one of the most expensive jurisdictions in the world, and that pressure does not wait for adulthood before it begins to shape choices. It is already present in the decisions households are making and in the realities our young people are observing every day. Dollars & Sense was about giving students the experience of making decisions and living with the consequences. That is how understanding takes root.”

Minister Lightbourne noted that the initiative reflects the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring affordability policies deliver practical outcomes for Bermudian households, bridging the gap between policy and lived experience. She added that programmes like Grow.Eat.Save. support local food production, help families manage grocery costs, and promote sustainability, an essential focus given that Bermuda imports approximately 90% of what it consumes.

Minister Lightbourne added, “Affordability will not be achieved through one policy or one initiative. Reducing the cost of groceries means less if families do not know how to budget effectively. Rent protections mean less if tenants do not understand their rights. Dollars & Sense connects those policies to real-world understanding.”

The Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that Dollars & Sense will be formally evaluated, with a view to expanding the programme to reach a broader cross-section of Bermuda’s student population.

The Ministry extends its sincere thanks to the Consumer Affairs section of the Ministry headquarters for facilitating the programme and for their continued commitment to empowering Bermudians with the knowledge needed to navigate in a cost-driven world.

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