Sheri Thornton, an eighth grade technology teacher at Northeast Middle School, helps her students learn about entertainment budgeting at one of the stations offered at the Reality Fair Wednesday.

Local students learn financial responsibility

    Eighth grade students in the Lauderdale County School District ventured into the real world of spending and budgeting Wednesday at a “Reality Fair,” thanks to a grant from the National Credit Union Foundation.

    MUNA Federal Credit Union received more than $9,000 from the NCUF to conduct the fair.  Of the 56 applications to the NCUF, MUNA received nearly 10 percent of the $100,000 budget.

    “Our grants committee was happy to provide this grant, because they know the funds will be well used and that students in your community will benefit greatly,” said Lois I. Kitsch, CUDE, National Program Director.

    A reality fair for eighth graders at Northeast Lauderdale Middle School was sponsored last year by MUNA. “It was real life and it was so effective,” said Randy Hodges, superintendent of Lauderdale County Schools. “You could see the interaction between our business community and our students. I thought Reality Fair needed to go across all eighth grade classes, and I am delighted MUNA pursued this grant.”

    What makes the fair memorable for students is the “hands-on” experience — each student picks a career, is given an income and then must progress through “life” (via booths), figuring out where they will live, how much they will spend on transportation, entertainment and more. Students also spin the “Wheel of Reality,” where they have to manage an unexpected expense or windfall.

    “In the weeks leading up to this event, we will incorporate information on careers, life choices and budgeting into the curriculum of many of our classes,” said Terisa Pittman, the school’s counselor. “Our students will come away with a much greater understanding of a real person’s salary and how to use that when they are old enough to live on their own.”

     “Reality Fair is a fun, exciting simulation of real life based on career choices and lifestyle decisions,” said Bo Pittman, president of MUNA. ”Spending money has never been easier for today’s youth, yet far too few students learn the life skills that can ultimately lead to personal financial success.”

    During the last fair, local partners presented information on transportation, housing, utilities, clothing, food and the enjoyable aspects of life, including entertainment, pets and personal appearance.

    At the end of the simulation, students learned what it takes to make ends meet from month to month, plus came away with a better appreciation of the importance of budgeting, financial planning and making wise purchasing choices.

    The MUNA Reality Fair is based on the CU 4 Reality Financial Education Program, created by America’s Credit Union Museum. CU 4 Reality began as a pilot program in 2005, and now serves elementary, middle and high school students. In 2014, CU 4 Reality won the prestigious “Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Award” from the Institute for Financial Literacy.

    “One of our most important missions at MUNA is educating our local community to help foster good fiscal responsibility,” said Pittman. “Reality Fair is a continuation of that mission.”

    Many local partners participated in bringing the “real world” to life at the 2014 Reality Fair. They included Anderson Health and Fitness Center, C-Spire, EMEPA, GameStop, Harry Mayer Clothiers, Holly Rodgers Beauty Salon, KIA of Meridian; North Lauderdale Water Association, Pearson & Company, East Mississippi Kennel Club, REMAX and Winn Dixie.