1st Ed Credit Union Hosts Two Financial Reality Fairs

A Financial Reality Fair helps high school students prepare for life after graduation and provides education for financial wellness.

CHAMBERSBURG, PA (April 18, 2024) – 1^st Ed Credit Union has offered financial education to local high school students with two Financial Reality Fairs, brought to you by America’s Credit Unions and CrossState Credit Union Foundation. On March 1, 2024, 1^st Ed hosted a fair for more than 250 juniors and seniors from the Franklin County Career & Technology Center; on April 11, more than 230 students from James Buchanan High School participated in a Reality Fair.

Financial Reality Fairs are a practical, hands-on exercise in personal financial management to help prepare students for navigating living on their own as adults. In preparation, students chose an occupation that they plan to pursue post-graduation and were provided with a worksheet that included their entry-level salary, sample credit score, monthly net pay, and more. During the fair, they made living choices among expenses like housing, transportation, food, clothing, insurance, entertainment, and other categories. Following their selections, students met with volunteers from the credit union who acted as financial counselors to review their budget results and advised them of possible changes if they went over. They were introduced to key financial concepts such as building their credit, understanding loan interest, establishing savings, and more.

Students were faced with the reality of the importance of making financially sound decisions, and according to one student, “Because I attended the Financial Reality Fair, I now have more knowledge about handling money. I now know the importance [of] always having steady savings and look forward to implementing it into my life.”
“As a credit union with a strong background in education, we understand the importance of equipping today’s young people with the tools they need for adulthood and are grateful to have the opportunity to prepare them for financial success with a Reality Fair,” said Marketing Coordinator Samantha Cantrell.

1^st Ed Credit Union is a member-owned, full-service financial institution serving school employees and their families in Adams, Cumberland (except West Shore, Camp Hill, East Pennsboro, Mechanicsburg, and Cumberland Valley), Franklin, Fulton, and York counties. Employees of a variety of partner companies and members of community groups within these areas are also eligible for membership.
1^st Ed aims to provide its members with quality and diverse services, as well as personal attention to their financial needs. The credit union strives for continued growth while maintaining financial stability. Employees of local school districts or partner companies and organizations are eligible to join for access to competitive loan and interest rates, convenient services, and more.  Learn more at 1edcu.org.

 
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