pReality Fair

Reality Fair Teaches Money Management Skills to Students Before They Launch

by Doria Maselli | Photography courtesy of Yelm School District

Balancing a monthly budget. Calculating and tracking expenses. Planning and saving for the future. These are all things that become a routine part of adult life.

And now, thanks to Reality Fairs started by WSECU, students in the region are getting important lessons on these skills to prepare for their futures. WSECU has been designing curriculum, planning and putting on Reality Fairs across Thurston and Mason counties. The events give students a glimpse into the reality of becoming self-sufficient and financially independent adults. WSECU's goal is to host a Reality Fair at every high school in Thurston and Lewis County this year.

Volunteers assign students a scenario – a career and salary as a recent college graduate; the careers and salaries vary. Like many college graduates, they graduate with some debt, student loan payments and savings. They are asked to create a monthly savings goal and manage the rest of their salaries, factoring in expenses including rent, health insurance premiums, as well as federal tax withholdings, and other living expenses.

At the fairs, stations are set up for students to visit. The volunteers manning the booths are encouraged to “sell” to students, things such as vacations, pets and tattoos. Other stations include regular items like groceries, cell phones and other necessities. The Life Happens station, a required stop, can often be a reality check, as it includes a “wild card,” such as an unexpected car repair or a monetary birthday gift from a family member. At the end, students meet with a financial coach who helps them recap their spending and expenses and assess their priorities and financial decisions.

The Reality Fair was held at Yelm High School for the first time last year. “Our goal is for every student to participate in a Reality Fair before they graduate as part of their High School and Beyond Plan, a state mandated graduation requirement,” says Teri Pablo, Career and Technical Education (CTE) Director with Yelm Community Schools. The events also rely heavily on the time and support of volunteers.

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“I was completely impressed with the response from the local community,” says Pablo. “I sent out an email to recruit volunteers, and within hours I was inundated with emails from local businesses and volunteers looking to partner with us for our Yelm event.” In fact, the response was so overwhelming that the community formed a Financial Advisor Literacy Committee to collaborate and provide resources for the future of both the community and the Reality Fairs.

“After the fair, we surveyed the students and were so pleased to learn that each student responded that they would participate again and would also encourage a friend to do the same,” says Pablo. “We are really encouraging students to develop necessary life skills and financial literacy to be able to plan and prepare for the future. Every freshman goes through a job interview experience, and we build and provide additional learning opportunities from there, including the Reality Fairs for juniors and seniors.” The Reality Fair also includes an online component, where students can access additional information and resources. The goal for Pablo is to hold the event in Yelm four times a year.

Reality Fairs are possible because of WSECU and their commitment to encouraging financial literacy, responsibility and education for the community and the future. For additional information or to participate or volunteer, contact WSECU at wsecu.org.

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Above: Community volunteers partner with Yelm Community Schools at Reality Fair.

Left: Thurston Chamber's Training & Development Manager Michele Winn and Yelm Mayor J.W. Foster interact with students at Yelm's Reality Fair 2019.

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