Seniors learn how to balance their spending before college
In Senior Seminar, our 2017 graduates experienced real world financial challenges in a safe environment provided by volunteers from The Kelly Community Federal Credit Union and the 91猫先生 staff. A Reality Fair is an interactive financial literacy tool for high school students. It is a unique opportunity for students to experience some of the financial challenges they will face when they start life on their own. It is a hands-on experience in which students identify their career choice and starting salaries then complete a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing and food. Additional expenditures, such as entertainment and travel, are factored in as well.
Throughout the fair, there are many temptations for additional spending, and students must learn to balance their wants and needs to live on their own. After the students have visited the various booths covering components of independent living, students balance their budget, and then sit down with a financial counselor for review.
The event was entertaining and eye opening for our graduates.
“It definitely prepares you – in a sense – for what you’re gonna be looking at, so I think it has opened my eyes a little bit,” Jordan Wyatt said. “I think just the fact that you know how much everything costs really prepares you for how you’re going to have to manage your money.”
