Hanscom AFB, Mass. � Students from the Air Force JROTC programs at Lowell and Bedford (MA) High Schools attended a CU4 Reality
TM fair sponsored by Hanscom FCU and staffed by volunteers from the credit union and the community.
CU4 Reality takes students through a simulated budgeting exercise. Each is assigned a monthly salary and a list of fixed, variable, and optional expenses. Some also were required to make student loan payments or carry special insurance, depending on the career they chose.
The students worked most of the morning, setting up their housing, transportation, food, clothing and all the expenses that make up everyday life. Each student also took a spin at the Wheel of Reality, where a random event added to or subtracted from their funds.
The goal was to visit all the stations and have spending line up with income. Students often had to adjust, cancelling vacations, returning high-end TVs and clothes, or taking on second jobs.
"Events like this are part of our mission to promote fiscally responsible choices," said Hanscom FCU Chairman of the Board Paul Marotta. "This is the second year weve offered CU4 Reality, and it really is a perfect partnership.
"We are grateful that so many people from the Hanscom AFB community came back this year to help us bring the message home. Having Airmen and civilians from the base here helped the students see that everyone needs to watch their spending and create a savings plan."
The program, sponsored by credit unions nationwide, was the conclusion to a complete financial management course taught by Hanscom FCU staff. Since 2002, all sophomores in Lowell High Schools Air Force JROTC program meet for six weeks, covering critical areas of personal finance such as planning, borrowing, earning capability, investing, financial services, and insurance.
CU4 Reality is an award-winning program that works with students of all ages, believing that to provide children with a financial education is to provide the next generation with the tools they need to benefit themselves and their communities for the long term. Its high school program is intended to familiarize and teach students in grades nine through twelve personal money management skills by applying direct instruction and interactive activities designed to simulate the adult world of personal and family finance.
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., serves 56,915 members across the country and overseas through 17 branches, over 100,000 service centers and surcharge-free ATMs, 24-hour telephone service and a web-based branch. The credit union holds over $1 billion in assets.
Hanscom FCU offers members an array of products and services, including free checking and savings accounts, consumer loans and credit cards, investment and insurance services, and mortgages for primary, secondary, and investment properties.
Hanscom AFB, Mass. � Students from the Air Force JROTC programs at Lowell and Bedford (MA) High Schools attended a CU4 RealityTM fair sponsored by Hanscom FCU and staffed by volunteers from the credit union and the community.
CU4 Reality takes students through a simulated budgeting exercise. Each is assigned a monthly salary and a list of fixed, variable, and optional expenses. Some also were required to make student loan payments or carry special insurance, depending on the career they chose.
The students worked most of the morning, setting up their housing, transportation, food, clothing and all the expenses that make up everyday life. Each student also took a spin at the Wheel of Reality, where a random event added to or subtracted from their funds.
The goal was to visit all the stations and have spending line up with income. Students often had to adjust, cancelling vacations, returning high-end TVs and clothes, or taking on second jobs.
"Events like this are part of our mission to promote fiscally responsible choices," said Hanscom FCU Chairman of the Board Paul Marotta. "This is the second year weve offered CU4 Reality, and it really is a perfect partnership.
"We are grateful that so many people from the Hanscom AFB community came back this year to help us bring the message home. Having Airmen and civilians from the base here helped the students see that everyone needs to watch their spending and create a savings plan."
The program, sponsored by credit unions nationwide, was the conclusion to a complete financial management course taught by Hanscom FCU staff. Since 2002, all sophomores in Lowell High Schools Air Force JROTC program meet for six weeks, covering critical areas of personal finance such as planning, borrowing, earning capability, investing, financial services, and insurance.
CU4 Reality is an award-winning program that works with students of all ages, believing that to provide children with a financial education is to provide the next generation with the tools they need to benefit themselves and their communities for the long term. Its high school program is intended to familiarize and teach students in grades nine through twelve personal money management skills by applying direct instruction and interactive activities designed to simulate the adult world of personal and family finance.
Hanscom Federal Credit Union, headquartered at Hanscom Air Force Base, Mass., serves 56,915 members across the country and overseas through 17 branches, over 100,000 service centers and surcharge-free ATMs, 24-hour telephone service and a web-based branch. The credit union holds over $1 billion in assets.
Hanscom FCU offers members an array of products and services, including free checking and savings accounts, consumer loans and credit cards, investment and insurance services, and mortgages for primary, secondary, and investment properties.