Vestal High School partnered with Visions Federal Credit Union to offer “Life is a Reality Expo,” a financial wellness simulation for high school students.
Students in grade 9 – 12 participated in this interactive lesson on jobs and finances to see if they could lead the lifestyle they hoped to while maintaining a budget. As they entered the gym, they received a handout with a list of entry-level career salaries, a sample employee paycheck, and a budget sheet where they could list monthly net income and transactions, such as expenses or credits.
They visited tables around the gym staffed by Visions volunteers with information on living expenses such as Housing/Utilities, Transportation, Groceries, Clothing, Phone/Internet, Student Loans/Savings, and Entertainment. The simulation was an opportunity to see if they could live within their monthly salaries while paying for basics. During the period, Kayla Fedish, Visions In-School Financial Wellness Officer for Vestal HS, spun a wheel and announced Life Events that would impact their monthly budgets.
"We are getting a lot of engagement and participation," said Ms. Fedish. "A lot of kids are taking it seriously. Some are partnering as roommates to share expenses."
Ninth-grader Azel Gill had some stunning insight... "I need a lot of help from my parents," she said.
At the end of each period, students were asked to raise hands if they stayed within their budget, and then if they went over their monthly budget. The reassuring news for parents? Most students were able to keep their monthly spending in line with their incomes!
This exercise was an eye-opening experience for high school students on what living in the real world will be like, and the importance of learning to balance between needs and wants.