Credit union teaches students life lessons in money management

DOWNEY — More than 70 students learned real-life financial lessons at an education workshop Downey Federal Credit Union hosted at Columbus High School last week.

The workshop, titled Bite of Reality, is an app simulation activity in which students receive digital real-world life scenarios and must manage their spending to stay under the budget provided.

The simulation is meant to provide young adults a real-world taste of what managing finances feels like.

Credit union staff alongside Downey business owners and civic leaders volunteered to serve as sales people for various products and services. Each volunteer was instructed to try their best to upsell products to mimic the pressure adults face when balancing their wants and needs while practicing money management.

“It was great seeing the students so excited as they visited each shopping station,” said DFCU’s Community Engagement Specialist Jessica Cantos. “Financial education was not taught in my high school and I believe I personally would have benefitted from participating in this type of program. Teaching money management is essential to the success of our students.”

Since 2017, Downey Federal Credit Union has hosted five of these Bite of Reality workshops, reaching more than 350 students. The next Bite of Reality event is scheduled for May 2 at Downey High School.