Press
First Financial Federal Credit Union hosts its first LIFE™ financial reality fair for students at Lakewood HS
WALL, NJ (June 8, 2015) – On May 20, First Financial Federal Credit Union held the first LIFE™ (Learning Independent Financial Education) financial reality fair event for the students at Lakewood High School. While the credit union has hosted financial reality fairs in the past, this fair has been revamped and is specifically sponsored and developed by First Financial. Approximately 160 sophomore, junior, and senior students participated in this hands-on version of the “game of life,” during which they were required to make on-the-spot financial decisions.
The LIFE™ Fair consists of a full day hands-on experience where students, after identifying their career choice and starting salaries, are provided a budget sheet requiring them to live within their monthly salary while paying for basics such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, and food. Once the students visit all the booths, they balance their budget and sit down with a financial counselor to review their expenses and get a “financial reality check.”
In regard to the school’s experience with their first ever LIFE™ Fair, Assistant Principal Major Finklin stated, “What an amazing experience for our students! The LIFE™ Fair afforded our students an opportunity to demonstrate skills they learned through our financial literacy curriculum and apply that knowledge in a fun and engaging way. We are extremely grateful to First Financial for providing financial counselors and other volunteers who helped our students better understand the real world financial concepts that they will utilize for the rest of their lives.”
While the LIFE™ Fair was certainly full of temptations, the students had to spend their money wisely while being able to save and budget themselves for the future – while also enjoying everything life has to offer. First Financial President and CEO, Issa Stephan, concluded, “Our mission for our first LIFE™ Fair was to help the students understand the value of money and how to manage their money, so as they grow as an adult they’ll become more financially responsible. Our credit union puts a high priority on financial education, after all – that’s how First Financial began 79 years ago, with a group of schoolteachers in Asbury Park.”
Photos can be found on First Financials Facebook page. To inquire about or set-up a LIFE™ Fair for a Monmouth or Ocean County, NJ school or business – please contact the Business Development Department at 732.312.1421, 732.312.1426, or email business@firstffcu.com.
About First Financial Federal Credit Union:
First Financial Federal Credit Union (formerly Mon-Oc Federal Credit Union) is a not-for-profit financial cooperative whose goal is to provide the highest level of quality products and personalized services while maintaining financial integrity and stability. Our vision is to be a long-term financial partner with our Members. While First Financial has a highly trained, professional staff using the latest technology, we also pride ourselves on our personal touch. Unlike huge banking conglomerates, policy setting and overall strategic direction of First Financial are overseen by a volunteer Board of Directors made up of credit union members. The credit union is federally insured by the NCUA. For more information on First Financial, visit www.firstffcu.com.