On January 17th, 2024, the Bennington County Workforce & Education Committee hosted a Financial Reality Fair at Mt. Anthony Union High School for 11th and 12th grade students in Bennington County. Approximately 90 students attended from Mt. Anthony Union High School, SW Tech Center, Burr & Burton Academy. Arlington Memorial High School, and Grace Christian Academy. With the help of 50 volunteers, students moved through multiple tables and created a realistic budget based on their choice of career and estimated earnings. Tables such as housing, transportation, utilities, food, cell phone, experiences, and the mall gave students the opportunity to choose how they would spend their monthly budget. Factors such as student loan payments were considered as well as savings and recreational spending. Students who were finding themselves short on funds could even look into upgrading their skills or getting a second job to help boost their income.
Many students came to the event worried about budgeting but left feeling much more confident in their future career goals and managing their money. They also felt that t earned about how to budget and how personal lifestyle choices can impact them financially. Those students who attended last year were excited to come back as seniors and explore different occupations and hoped for a better outcome.
The Workforce & Education Committee is looking forward to hosting next year's Financial Reality Fair.
Many students came to the event worried about budgeting but left feeling much more confident in their future career goals and managing their money. They also felt that t earned about how to budget and how personal lifestyle choices can impact them financially. Those students who attended last year were excited to come back as seniors and explore different occupations and hoped for a better outcome.
The Workforce & Education Committee is looking forward to hosting next year's Financial Reality Fair.
