Members 1st, along with other area credit unions, visit local schools to host Financial Reality Fairs. These fairs teach students how to budget their money.
Students start by selecting a career and then are given a realistic salary based off their chosen career. When we visit the schools, we bring along items to set up booths that replicate “real-life bills”, such as housing, transportation, food, cable and internet, social life, and even part time job. At the booths, there are a few options for students to choose from, that each cost a different amount. For example, at the housing booth, students can choose to live at home with their parents for a lesser cost than if they choose to rent a 4 bedroom house.
After visiting the booths, students will then do their calculations to see if they spent more than their salary. Students realize how much it truly costs to life in the real world.
