CHS Students Get a Dose of (Financial) Reality

Students at Cheltenham High School got a firsthand look at managing money during this year’s Financial Literacy Fair, proudly sponsored by TruMark Financial Credit Union. Held on Thursday at CHS, the event provided an interactive, practical experience aimed at boosting students’ personal finance skills.

“As a financial educator it’s my responsibility to start these conversations with students early,” said TruMark Financial Assistant Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility Denise Romanelli. “Approaching these tough conversations in a way they understand is the best way to get through to them.”

Each student was assigned a career and starting salary before diving into a budgeting activity. They were tasked with covering essential expenses such as housing, utilities, transportation, clothing, furniture, internet, and food—along with extras like entertainment and cell phone plans.

Throughout the exercise, students faced tempting distractions that tested their ability to prioritize needs versus wants. If their budget fell short, they had options to take out loans or pick up a part-time job to make ends meet.

“I want them to walk away from this experience looking at life differently,” said Romanelli. “I want them to start paying attention to the price of gas and understand that filling up your car is equivalent to a few hours of work.”

After exploring various booths focused on aspects of independent living, participants spun the “Wheel of Reality” to discover an unexpected life event that could affect their finances. The experience concluded with one-on-one sessions with financial counselors who helped students evaluate their budgets, understand the importance of saving, and prepare for future financial challenges.

“Budgeting shouldn’t be on the individual level, it should be a conversation families are having together,” said Romanelli. 

The fair’s goal is to enhance financial literacy among young people by engaging them in hands-on learning that reflects real-life situations. It helps students grasp key concepts like earning, spending, budgeting, and saving, while reinforcing the value of responsible money management from an early age. 

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