On Friday, Feb. 14, Merrimack Valley Credit Union (MVCU) and Methuen High School (MHS) teamed up for the sixth year to present the Credit for Life Fair to hundreds of graduating seniors.
Credit for Life is a two-hour financial simulation held in Klimas Field House at MHS where students selected a profession that best fits their post-graduation plans and received an estimated salary. They then connected with volunteers and discussed financial decisions they would encounter as adults, such as attending community, state or private college; choosing between purchasing a car or a public transit pass; and deciding whether to rent or own a home.
Students also learned how their lifestyle choices, including eating out, purchasing a gym membership or owning a pet, would affect their budget. They faced a “reality check” by spinning “The Wheel of Misfortune” that included items that could either have a negative impact on a student’s budget or provide the windfall to keep their monthly budget in the positive.
The students finished the fair at the credit counseling booth, where volunteers analyzed the students’ spending and salary to help them understand the importance of financial planning and how their decisions ultimately impacted their budget.
The partnership between MVCU and MHS began with the inaugural fair in 2018. The event is staffed by dozens of volunteers from local professional and community organizations, the Methuen school district and MVCU. The volunteers have face-to-face conversations with the students about the impact their choices have on their budget and offer decades of practical experience to the students.
Above: Credit for Life volunteers helped students make important financial decisions based on their given salaries. In addition to considering transportation, housing and food costs, students needed to budget for their hobbies at the “Fun, Fun, Fun” table. Top of page: MVCU team member volunteers at the Credit for Life Fair in the MHS Klimas Field House.
“It is so important that we continue to teach financial literacy in the high school setting,” says MVCU Marketing Specialist and Credit for Life Fair Coordinator Olivia Pink. “The ‘real world’ can be daunting and there are a lot more impactful financial decisions that you make as you get older, but the MHS Credit for Life Fair helps students tackle these decisions. I believe that the best part of this event is that it shows students that they can make these big decisions and that regardless of the outcome, there will always be someone in their corner rooting for their success. We hope to continue this event with MHS for years to come and look forward to presenting it to next year’s senior class.”
“The Credit for Life Fair is an interactive and educational event that provides our senior students with invaluable real-world financial experience,” says MHS Associate Principal Glenda L. Javier. “The event allows students to step into the role of working adults, making important financial decisions about housing, transportation, education and other essential expenses. With the guidance of dedicated volunteers from our community—professionals who bring their expertise and real-world insights—students gain practical knowledge about budgeting, responsible spending and financial planning. The fair is a cornerstone of MHS’ commitment to equipping students with the skills they need for success beyond the classroom. By engaging with professionals and experiencing firsthand the impact of their choices, students leave with a greater sense of financial literacy and confidence in their ability to navigate the future.”
To learn more about MVCU’s community initiatives, visit www.mvcu.com/news.