More than 200 high school students from Hatboro-Horsham and Wissahickon high schools participated in a hands-on budgeting exercise in an effort to learn how to manage their money responsibly. The event, sponsored by TruMark Financial® Credit Union in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, was held at Hatboro-Horsham High School on Dec. 4, and challenged students to act as independent adults and make financial decisions.
Students chose a career, complete with a salary, and were given a budget worksheet. They were required to visit 14 booths to make spending decisions on necessities such as housing, transportation, food and clothing, insurance, and other categories within their budget. Following their selections, students met with financial counselors who reviewed their worksheets and advised them on adjustments that might be necessary to live within their salary constraints.
Representatives from local businesses, community leaders, and TruMark Financial employees manned the booths and helped guide students to make informed decisions as they budgeted for monthly expenses.