Empowering Teens with Real-World Money Lessons: VyStar’s Financial Fitness Fair at the Kia Center

Hundreds of students across Central Florida participated in the VyStar Credit Union Reality Fair at the Kia Center on Saturday, February 1. The immersive simulation was designed to give teens a taste of adult financial responsibilities.  Each participant was assigned a hypothetical salary, credit score and monthly expenses, then challenged to balance their budgets while navigating unexpected costs – like a broken dishwasher or a last-minute medical bill.
 
"They had to make lifestyle choices based on their career, finances, family scenario, and credit score," said Michael J. Rathjen, Vice President of School Programs at VyStar. "This experience allows them to feel the peace that comes with having the necessary resources and making sound decisions, or the pressure that many face when they don't have enough money to make it through the month. It's a powerful way to bring learning to life."
 
VyStar Credit Union is committed to turning financial education into real-world action.  By giving students hands-on experience classroom lessons are transformed into practical skills – bridging the gap between theory and real-life financial decisions they’ll face as adults. 
 
"The VyStar Financial Fitness Reality Fair was an eye-opening experience," said Abbigayle Freeman, a mentor with Big Brothers Big Sisters. "I was an amusement park attendant with a modest income, supporting a family of four. Budgeting was incredibly challenging, and by the end, I had only $12 left. This experience highlights the importance of financial education. Learning about finances early on is crucial, and I'm grateful that younger kids have this opportunity."
 
“I had an incredible experience attending the VyStar Financial Fitness Reality Fair with my mentor,” said Big Brothers Big Sisters mentee Lyric Myles. “In my scenario, I was a railroad conductor with a good income but bad credit, supporting four kids and a non-working spouse. One key takeaway was the importance of saving and not spending all your money in one place.”
 
VyStar Credit Union has long been committed to financial literacy, launching initiatives like the Academy of Business High School Branch Program in 2006 offering work-site experience and paid internships. Today, VyStar operates 19 branches in Florida and has provided financial education to over 130,000 students through its in-school programs.  
In 2022 the Florida Legislature recognized the need for students to enhance their financial education, with the passing of the “Dorothy L. Hukill Financial Literacy Act,” which requires students to complete a personal finance course before graduating.  In-school programs combined with hands-on experiences help students develop the financial skills they need for the future.
To celebrate their participation, students earned tickets to an Orland Solar Bears game or the Central Florida Zoo – a small reward for tackling one of life’s biggest challenges: managing money wisely.
To access the latest financial tools and resources for every stage of life and a list of resources for students along with future Financial Fitness events and initiatives go to vystarcu.org.
 
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About VyStar Credit Union
VyStar Credit Union is the second-largest credit union headquartered in Florida, with 79 full-service branches across Florida and Georgia, 1 million members and assets of over $14 billion. VyStar is the top mortgage lender in Northeast Florida and a major employer in the region with over 2,500 employees across the communities it serves. VyStar membership is open to everyone who lives or works in the 49 contiguous counties of Central to North Florida, 29 Georgia counties, and past and present military members and their families all over the world. VyStar members have access to 55,000 surcharge free ATMs worldwide. For more information, visit vystarcu.org, and follow us on Facebook, Instagram,  X (Twitter), and LinkedIn.