LAS VEGAS, NV (February 19, 2025) |
Silver State Schools Credit Union (SSSCU), in partnership with the Richard Myles Johnson (RMJ) Foundation, hosted an interactive financial literacy workshop called Bite of Reality for the senior class at Legacy High School. Bite of Reality is a hands-on, app-based simulation designed to teach participants how to manage their money and budget for financial success.
700 students were assigned a fictional job, salary, family dynamics and credit score—mimicking financial realities. Participants then visited each of the simulation’s eight stations to purchase life’s various necessities, such as clothing, food, housing and transportation.
As students visited each station, they negotiated with volunteers acting as salespeople they may encounter in their adult lives. For example, a car salesperson at the transportation station tried to sell them the most expensive car their fictional credit score would allow, while the grocer at the food station attempted to persuade them to buy the costliest grocery packages.
The simulation also included a feature that gave students unexpected expenses, forcing them to reassess their money strategies.
“It really helps students understand the power of financial literacy,” says SSSCU Education Liaison Manager JimDre Westbrook. “It’s not just about having a lot of money; you want to make sure you’re wise with the money that you have so you can grow it and take care of your responsibilities.”
The game concluded once the students shopped at every station and paid their bills at the Credit Union station. At the end of the game, students had the opportunity to pay off their debt or deposit their remaining balance into their savings account.