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Financial Fitness FairsFounded in 2004, Maine credit unions introduced a new concept in youth financial education through Financial Fitness - A Money Management Experience. This award-winning, half-day event targets high school juniors and seniors and is similar to the game of "LIFE," where participating students are given a career and monthly income and then have to visit booths associated with various expenses that the average adult is faced with each month. Costs, such as transportation, housing, clothing, food, student loans, insurance and several other everyday expenses, are filled in on a monthly budget form by each student. At the end of the event, the goal is for students to have monthly budget that does not exceed monthly income. Download an information brochure here.
During the 2011/21 school year, Maine credit unions are planning a record number of Financial Fitness - A Money Management Experience fairs across Maine. Here is a schedule (As dates are confirmed, they will be added; we anticipate that additional fairs will be added, as well):
- Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (Maine Highlands FCU) - Foxcroft Academy, Dover-Foxcroft - 150 students participated.
- Wednesday, October 12, 2011 (Cumberland County - Alex Ferguson) - Portland High School, Portland (New Fair) - 70 students participated.
- Tuesday, November 8, 2011 (Sagadahoc, Cumberland and Lincoln Counties - Jeannette G. Morin Chapter) - Donald Small School, Bath (New Fair) - 200 students participated
- November 18, 2011 (Oxford FCU) - Mountain Valley High School, Rumford - 150 students participated
- Monday, March 26, 2012 (Oxford FCU) - Oxford Hills Comprehensive High School, Norway
- Friday, March 23, 2012 (PeoplesChoice CU) - Biddeford High School, Biddeford
- March 27, 2012 (Aroostook Chapter) - Loring Jobs Corp. Center, Limestone
- Wednesday, March 28, 2012 (Cumberland County - Alex Ferguson Chapter) - Bonny Eagle High School, Standish
- Tuesday, April 3, 2012 (Cumberland County - Alex Ferguson Chapter) - Lake Region High School, Bridgton
- Wednesday, April 4, 2012 (Norm Nolette Chapter, with assistance from Jeannette G. Morin Chapter - Lewiston/Auburn/Midcoast) - Lewiston Armory, Lewiston
- April 6, 2012 (Kennebec Valley Chapter) - Kennebec Valley Community College, Fairfield
- April 11, 2012 (Northern Penobscot Chapter) - Southern Aroostook Community School, Dyer Brook
- April 29, 2012 (Volunteers from Maine CU League, various CUs) - Financial Fitness Fair for Educators, Augusta Civic Center, Augusta
- April 2012 - (York County Chapter) - Sanford High School, Sanford
- Friday, May 18, 2012 (Oxford FCU) - Dirigo High School, Dixfield
- May 2012 (Bangor Chapter) - Eastern Maine Community College, Bangor
Sample comments from fair participants:
"Thank you to the credit unions for organizing these fairs. My students not only enjoyed participating but learned a lot!" - Business Teacher, Bonny Eagle High School
"If I don't do a good job of managing my money, I'm going to have a tough time in life. Thanks for the chance to see how important it is to learn about doing a good job with your money." - Sanford High School Senior, Age 17
"I thought I had it tough but my mom has it much worse. She has to pay all of the bills and keep track of our finances. I have a lot of respect for the fact she is able to do it so well. This fair made me want to be better at helping manage finances." - Leavitt High School Senior, Age 19
"Wow! I really learned a lot today. When I go off to college in the fall, I feel much more informed about finances." - Fort Fairfield High School Senior, Age 18
"This was a fantastic experience for me. I am going to work a year or so before I go to college and this gave me a lot to think about. I feel better prepared today thanks to this activity. It was well worth it!" - Lake Regional High School Senior, Age 18
"I never realized that managing money was so important. I'm so glad I had a chance to come today. When I go off to college in a year, what I learned today will give me a lot more confidence in how to budget." - Madawaska High School Junior, Age 16
"I have a much greater understanding for what my parents go through every month, trying to figure out how to pay all of the bills." - Oxford Hills High School Senior, Age 17
"This event opened my eyes. It costs a lot of money to live and this has caused me to re-evaluate my future career plans and to think about the importance of saving money." - Erskine Academy Senior, Age 19
"My respect for my mom in making our finances work has grown from attending this event. I will now think twice before giving her a hard time about not giving me money everytime I ask for it." - Brewer High School Senior, Age 18
For more information about participating and/or attending one of the Money Management Experience events, email Jon Paradise at the Maine Credit Union League or call him at (207) 773-5671, ext. 273.
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