Students from nine Lehigh Valley high schools recently attended a Reality Fair at DeSales University presented by the Lehigh Valley Chapter of Credit Unions.

The fair provided students with a look into their future after schooling and the logistics of salary, expenses and savings.

Credit unions participating in the event were APCI Federal Credit Union (Air Products), Bethlehem 1st Federal Credit Union, First Commonwealth Federal Credit Union, Lehigh Valley Educators Credit Union, Northampton Area School District Employees Credit Union, People First Federal Credit Union and PPL Gold Credit Union.

Participating school districts included Parkland, Salisbury, Whitehall, Bethlehem Catholic, Northampton, Dieruff, William Allen and Liberty high schools and Lehigh Valley Charter School of the Arts.

Prior to the event, each student decided on a profession from a list provided the teacher.

A salary was then assigned, along with any student loans from their college education.

Each student received a budget worksheet on the day of the event. Students visited various tables where they were able to purchase and budget for auto/transportation, insurance, part-time jobs, housing, pets, food, entertainment, cable, salon visits and more.

Depending on their choices, expenses were added to their worksheets as well as income if applicable.

Each student could also visit the “Wheel of Reality,” which provided a real life scenario which either increased their expenses (car repairs, sick pet to the vet, stolen credit card) or increased their income by winning money.

The goal was for the student to visit with a financial counselor with a well-managed budget worksheet.

Each student was given handouts to take home to further assist in their future financial needs.

Participants toured DeSales University campus and were provided lunch before the trip back to school.

Sponsors for the event included Universal Real Estate Services, Allied Solutions, Liberty Mutual Insurance, Fitzpatrick, Lentz and Bubba, Enterprise, DeSales University, Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation, CUNA Mutual and CU Direct.