Afton Central School District recently hosted the SFCU (Sidney Federal Credit Union) Real World Money Edition Program, an interactive, hands-on financial literacy event designed for local high school students and young adults. The program challenged participants to manage a household budget based on real-world scenarios and financial responsibilities.
Students created household budgets while making decisions about housing, transportation, childcare, student loans, food, entertainment, and savings. Throughout the simulation, the program injected unexpected "real-world" financial surprises, such as a flat tire or an unforeseen medical bill, requiring students to adapt, problem-solve, and maintain fiscal responsibility. Through these experiences, students quickly learned how expenses add up and gained a greater understanding of the importance of budgeting, planning, and preparing for life's unexpected challenges.
At the conclusion of the program, students were given the opportunity to select a local organization to receive a community donation from SFCU. Students voted to award the Afton FFA Food Pantry a $500 donation. The funds will help support the pantry's mission of providing food and resources to local families while continuing to address food insecurity within the Afton community.