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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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WA Students Get 'Eye-Opening' Budgeting Lesson

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Tuesday, June 11, 2019   

RICHLAND, Wash. — Northwest credit unions are giving high school students a taste of real-world budgeting. About 800 Washington state high school students attended financial reality fairs sponsored by local credit unions across the state this year, providing young people a crash course in managing money responsibly once they're in charge of their own finances.

The exercise takes place on an app called "Bite of Reality" that randomly assigns students careers, starting salaries and other characteristics such as student debt. At the fairs, volunteers try to sell them on expenses that might be outside their means.

Brandon Allison, education and outreach specialist with Gesa Credit Union in Richland, talked about some of the most common statements he hears from students.

"'Children are expensive,' and 'I can't believe it cost that much for housing,’” Allison said. “And so, it's an eye-opening experience as to the realities of what adults have to pay for every single month."

Students get to decide on everything from housing and transportation to clothing and travel and are tasked with balancing their budget by the end of the fair. Grants from the Northwest Credit Union Foundation made possible 40 events at 21 schools across the Northwest this academic year.

Sharee Adkins, executive director of the Northwest Credit Union Foundation, said a lot of young people walk away from the fair with a greater respect for their parents.

"That really is my favorite thing to hear from students. Not just, 'Oh my gosh, I have to make these decisions!' But, 'Oh my gosh, I really appreciate my parents!’” Adkins said. “That always makes me chuckle to hear that, because they don't necessarily think about the fact that their parents are making those kinds of choices day in and day out as well."

The Bite of Reality app also throws students curveballs, such as the unexpected cost of fixing a car. Adkins said this highlights the importance of thinking ahead and saving for life's unanticipated expenses.

Disclosure: Northwest Credit Union Association contributes to our fund for reporting on Community Issues and Volunteering, Consumer Issues, Housing/Homelessness, Livable Wages/Working Families. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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