NW Ohio Credit Unions Breathe Life into HS Financial Education Game

PERRYSBURG, Ohio – Over 100 high schools students played a hands-on game of LIFE as part of NorthWest Ohio Credit Unions’ Finances 101 Walk the Walk, Talk the Talk financial education game event. Credit unions here created a life-size “game board” giving students the opportunity to have a profession, children, buy a home, car, acquire insurance and pay utilities. Students had to stop at 13 different stations where there were some surprises along their journey such as car accidents, owing money, selling personal items, getting an oil change or even winning the lottery. Professions were randomly selected so students couldn’t all opt to be “supermodels”. The three-hour events helped students learn first hand about earning a salary and paying bills, what it costs to run a household, how buying decisions affect earnings and even adult responsibilities. “One of the student’s had a low paying job, three kids and had to buy a car, rent an apartment provide for the children and she said, `now I understand why my parents get upset when I go over on my cell phone minutes every little bill really adds up,’” said NW Ohio Credit Unions Spokesperson Melissa Gregg. “That experience just helped that student make the connection between spending and responsibility and there were plenty of similar comments. A majority of the students left there with a better idea of how much it costs out there in the real world.” According to Gregg it took about a year and a half to rally local business partners, establish game rules and decide which schools to include.