Bensalem High School students learn life skills

FORT WASHINGTON, Pa. — The Bensalem High School gym was open for exercise on Nov. 14, that is, an exercise in budgeting as more than 500 students got a dose of financial reality.

Community members, credit union employees, and retired Bensalem High School teachers were on hand to guide students through a Financial Reality Fair sponsored by TruMark Financial® Credit Union as they learned about credit scores, budgeting, and how to make decisions when it comes to managing money.

Students were given a budget worksheet complete with a career and salary and challenged to make spending decisions on necessities such as housing, transportation, food and clothing, insurance, and other categories. “It is an excellent opportunity for our students to see what it is like to actually make financial decisions. This is a valuable experience to help them understand the concept and the value of money,” said Ron Morris, business technology teacher.

Everyone faces unexpected situations, and as part of the exercise students spun the Wheel of Reality which represents the unknown. A spin of the wheel could bring good fortune such as a tax refund or bad fortune such as unexpected car repairs. Following their selections, students met with financial counselors who reviewed their budget worksheets, checked students' calculations, and provided counseling if students needed to make changes to meet their expenses. These changes might include eliminating a purchase or getting a part-time job.

Students left with a new appreciation for their parents’ skills of budgeting. “Seeing how many expenses there are and unexpected expenses (wheel of reality), you have to make sure you budget your money. It is a realization of how money flows,” said one student.

About TruMark Financial:

TruMark Financial is one of the strongest, most progressive credit unions in the nation, offering a full range of banking, investing, and insurance services to more than 120,000 members in Southeastern Pa.

Founded in 1939, TruMark Financial is headquartered in Fort Washington, Pa., and has approximately $2.3 billion in assets through its 24 branches, Call Center, and a suite of innovative online and mobile banking services online services. To learn more about TruMark Financial, visit www.trumarkonline.org or call 1-877-TRUMARK. Connect with TruMark Financial at www.facebook.com/trumarkonline and twitter.com/trumarkonline.