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Financial Fitness Fair season is officially underway, and what a start we have had! Already, more than 600 students across the state have undergone Maine Credit Unions’ extensive, useful, and informative Financial Fitness Fair simulation. These high schoolers have gained crucial insight into both how to set up and stick to a monthly budget based on a randomly assigned credit score, the median income of the career they choose, and various lifestyle choices at differing price points.
On October 11, New Dimensions FCU brought the Fair to Winslow High School and OTIS FCU gathered juniors at Spruce Mountain High School in Jay. Students visited each of the following booths to ask questions and make careful decisions for their monthly budget: credit, basics, student loans, extras, transportation, housing, and savings. OTIS FCU returned to Spruce Mountain High School one week later on October 18 to bring the Fair to sophomore students.
Additionally, the Aroostook Chapter came together at Loring Air Force Base on October 24 to provide a Financial Fitness Fair opportunity to every high school in The County. More than 300 students benefitted from the innovative Fair simulation.
That is not where the fun stops, though, as more Fairs are on the calendar for the fall season. The Kennebec Valley Chapter is bringing it to Hall-Dale High Schools for both Hall-Dale and Monmouth High Schools on November 7. The same week, the York Chapter is taking the Fair to Massabesic High School and Cumberland County FCU is going to Sacopee Valley High School. Mt. View High School will see their Fair on December 12 with the Kennebec Valley Chapter.
These educational opportunities for Maine’s students are all thanks to Maine’s vast credit union chapter network. If your chapter has not yet reached out to your local high schools to arrange a Fair, we encourage you to do so. If a Fair cannot be scheduled before the end of the calendar year, it’s never too early to begin thinking about the spring calendar—it will be here before we know it!
To all chapters and credit union staff that have aided in a Financial Fitness Fair this year or have one scheduled, thank you! We cannot do it without your support, knowledge, and participation.
If you are interested in learning more about Financial Fitness Fairs, please contact Jake Holmes at jholmes@mainecul.org.