HARRISBURG, Penn.–The Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation announced it has sponsored Pennsylvania’s 100th Financial Reality Fair.
Reality Fair #100 took place at Williamsport Area High School, and was hosted by Financial 1st Federal Credit Union, with the support of the Foundation. Over the course of a full day, approximately 160 Williamsport students received a crash course in personal finance, with opportunities for hands-on learning.
Introduced in 2011, the Financial Reality Fair program has grown each year, with nearly 25 Fairs held this fall alone, the Foundation reported.
“When we first started Financial Reality Fairs, we never anticipated that they would become the blockbuster events that they are today,” said John Kebles, Real Solutions Manager of the Foundation, in a statement.
The Foundation said Kebles is a strong supporter of the Financial Reality Fairs and has worked closely with the Foundation to assist in the growing popularity of these experiential learning events. “The initial goal of the Fairs was to make sure that some sort of financial literacy program was being offered in each of the 500 school districts in Pennsylvania. The Financial Reality Fairs have been an important part in getting us closer to that goal.”
Financial Reality Fairs are a hands-on, practical exercise in personal financial management that helps prepare students for navigating life as adults. Students choose an occupation and, using their ‘income,’ make real-life choices in housing, transportation, food and clothing, insurance, entertainment, and other categories to fit within their budget. Following their selections, students meet with financial counselors who review their budget results and advise them of possible changes if they overspend or help with savings strategies if they have lived beyond their means.