LAFCU provided a reality check to seniors at Lansing Christian School to help them better understand personal finance.
This is the second year LAFCU has presented a 1.5-hour Financial Reality Fair for the school’s senior class.
“We are so grateful for LAFCU’s partnership in equipping students with the essential skill of financial stewardship,” said Andrew Kleyn, Lansing Christian School middle and high school principal. “Financial literacy is important and fits well with the students’ holistic education. This fair compliments our curriculum and provides additional voices and experts to benefit student learning.”
At the January fair, 10 LAFCU employees and several Lansing Christian School faculty provided one-on-one guidance to students tasked to create real-life financial budgets.
Using estimated salaries based on pre-selected careers as well as assigned credit scores, students visited 12 booths to identify expenses likely to be incurred when living independently. At station #13, a LAFCU financial counselor helped students explore ways to improve their financial decision-making.
“It’s all about priorities at the final station because all decisions in financial budgeting are connected,” said Alyssa Troub, LAFCU marketing and communications specialist. “For example, if they compromise on a less costly apartment or get a used car instead of a new one, they may be able to do and save more.
“Helping students become financially literate is important to LAFCU as it supports our philosophy of being a ‘Credit Union for Life.’”
LAFCU Financial Reality Fairs are presented with assistance from Michigan Credit Union Foundation, which offers materials and training designed to have a lasting impact on the financial understanding of teens.
LAFCU’s Shelia Scott explains to senior Emma Granger that giving back to her community is an important value to consider when creating a budget.
LAFCU representative Deb provides options for multiple technology services – cell phones, Wi-Fi, TV service –that typically cost more than students expect.
LAFCU financial experts helped Lansing Christian School seniors hone their financial decision-making skills at a Financial Reality Fair in January.