Battle Creek Central High School Students Participate in Financial Reality Fair
Marshall Community Credit Union (MCCU), with support from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, recently hosted a Financial Reality Fair at Battle Creek Central High School (BCCHS).
A Financial Reality Fair is an interactive simulation that provides students with practical experience in managing a budget and making real-world financial decisions.
During the fair, students were challenged to balance their budgets and make critical decisions such as selecting housing, transportation, and food as well as lifestyle temptations like sports betting, trips to a nail salon, coffee runs, and online shopping.
“We include realistic budget busters so students can grasp the financial challenges they may face after high school and have a glimpse into what their families juggle every day,” said MCCU Financial Education Specialist Laura Van Dyke. “They even spin a wheel for an unexpected life event, which could have a positive impact on income, or negative.”
Van Dyke, along with MCCU staff and volunteers from the Michigan Credit Union League and Community West Credit Union, worked closely with BCCHS Career Connections teachers Mary Dervan and Paul Kunde to bring the Financial Reality Fair to 273 sophomore students.
“This event was a powerful illustration of the importance of understanding finance and how to manage your spending habits,” said Kunde. “The students connected with the material in ways that resonated with their everyday lives. We were incredibly grateful for MCCU’s efforts in making this event such a success.”
“The fair gave students a firsthand look at how paychecks are allocated and the choices required to live within their means,” added Dervan. “We heard many positive comments, with students expressing surprise about the cost of living and the price of necessities like insurance—insights that we hope will inspire them to start saving for the future.”
In preparation for the event, Van Dyke conducted presentations for all participating students, offering insights on budgeting and personal finance management.
“I am always excited to talk with students about how budgeting impacts their lives, encouraging them to think about ways to increase income or reduce spending to achieve their future goals,” Van Dyke said. “I even shared my personal budget, which sparked discussions on real-life spending decisions and how quickly a life event — big or small — can impact one’s finances.”
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