On Friday, February 17th, the 8th-grade students of Penn and Trafford Middle Schools participated in a Financial Reality Fair. The event was held at Trafford Middle School in collaboration with the PHEPLE Credit Union.
The fair provided a unique opportunity for students to experience some of the financial challenges they will face when they start life on their own. The students rotated through sessions with PHEPLE personnel which covered student loans, taxes, utilities, transportation, clothing, food, housing, and entertainment. Next, each student completed a budget sheet by listing a career of their choosing and their projected monthly salary, then deducting for taxes and other necessary expenses and considering what’s left over for savings and discretionary spending.
At the end of the fair, each student sat down with a financial counselor to review their budget.
“The students learned about making real world financial decisions and managing money through this interactive experience,” said Trafford School Counselor Mrs. McGraw. “We are fortunate to have had PHEPLE Credit Union volunteers share their expertise with our Penn-Trafford 8th-graders.”
Tanner Penny, Daniel Owoc, and Ben Owens spin the Wheel of Reality
PHEPLE’s Susan Lawson presented about Student Loans
PHEPLE volunteer and Financial Literacy Coordinator, Jessi Schroeder, presented on the price of food
