[Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan] – Four local credit unions are joining forces to bring financial
literacy to high school students in the Eastern Upper Peninsula this upcoming school year. U.P.
State Credit Union, Soo Co-op Credit Union, Tahquamenon Area Credit Union, and DeTour
Drummond Community Credit Union will be hosting free Financial Reality Fairs at schools
across the region.
The featured program, the Bite of Reality Fair, is a hands-on, app-based simulation designed to
engage teens while teaching them essential financial skills. Through this interactive experience,
students learn how to manage their personal finances and make informed financial decisions.
During the fair, students are given the opportunity to choose an occupation, salary, credit score,
student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. They then navigate various
table-top stations where they purchase housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other
necessities, just like they would in real life. Fortunately, they can also rely on the help of a
“credit union” station to guide them through their financial challenges.
Educators who have participated in the Bite of Reality Fair have praised its effectiveness. “The
students came away from the program with a much greater understanding of a real person’s
salary, and how they would have to divide their income for expenses in order to live on their
own,” one educator commented.
This dynamic program is designed to equip teens with a deeper understanding of the challenges
of living on a budget, offering them a valuable preview of the financial realities they will face as
adults.
Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union emphasized the significance of the initiative, “By coming
together, we can offer this free service to more schools and students. Financial literacy is vital for
students when entering the real world, and these fairs really give kids a taste of what balancing
their finances will be like.”
The collaboration between the credit unions ensures that more students across the Eastern Upper
Peninsula will have access to this valuable educational experience.
If you are interested in learning more about the financial reality fair or hosting one at your
school, please contact Mary Lynch of Soo Co-op Credit Union at mlynch@soocoop.com or
Olivia Cerre of U.P. State Credit Union at ocerre@upscu.com.
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