Bellwether Community Credit Union Delivers Program to 150 Local Students

Online, January 3, 2011 (Newswire.com) - Choices made by teenagers in their first years of independence can have a tremendous impact on their finances for years to follow. On January 7, Goffstown High School students will conclude a semester of money management education at the CU 4 Reality™ Financial Fair. By incorporating real life scenarios into the fair, business professionals will help students learn to better manage their finances and make smarter decisions. The program is sponsored by Bellwether Community Credit Union and America's Credit Union Museum.

The CU 4 Reality™ program brings parents, educators and credit unions together to build a financial management foundation for students. Developed and funded by New Hampshire credit unions, the program delivered a semester-long financial literary curriculum to Goffstown High School students. Lesson plans and classroom activities focused on career exploration, checkbook management, savings and investments.

Lessons learned in the classroom will be brought to life at the CU 4 Reality™ Financial Fair. Students will choose a career, create monthly spending plans and calculate monthly take home pay. Throughout the day, they will visit booths staffed by credit union employees and local merchants to select housing, utilities, transportation, insurance and other life necessities. They will also be exposed to temptations and unexpected financial setbacks. At the last stop, Bellwether Community Credit Union counselors will meet with students and suggest ways to reduce expenses or increase income.

"Bellwether Community Credit Union is proud to sponsor a program that prepares young adults for real life by providing money management skills before they are faced with making these choices," explained Michael L'Ecuyer, President/CEO of Bellwether Community Credit Union. "The fair will underscore what students have learned about the consequences associated with poor financial skills and help them understand how to live within a lifestyle they can afford."

The CU 4 Reality™ program was developed by the Financial Literacy Education Committee and the New Hampshire Credit Union League. Since 2007, 7,864 students have participated in the program.