Chippewa County, MI – Limestone Financial Credit Union (Limestone FCU) recently partnered with Lake Superior State University (LSSU) to host a Financial Reality Fair, with support from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, during Move-In Week on LSSU’s campus. This event provided freshman students with a hands-on opportunity to navigate real-world financial decisions as they enter their first year at LSSU. Through this interactive experience, students learned valuable budgeting skills, explored smart spending habits, and gained insight into managing personal finances.
The event was made possible through support from the Michigan Credit Union Foundation, whose commitment to advancing financial education helps bring impactful learning opportunities to communities across Michigan.
During the fair, students stepped into the role of working professionals, selecting careers and managing monthly expenses, including housing, transportation, groceries, entertainment, and more. The goal was to create a balanced budget while dealing with unexpected financial challenges, mirroring real-life financial responsibilities.
“We were thrilled to welcome incoming freshmen to this year’s Financial Reality Fair. The students had a great time participating in the hands-on simulation, which gave them a taste of real-world responsibilities and budgeting. It was inspiring to see how engaged and interactive they were throughout the event. We’re especially grateful to the local businesses and our credit union staff who volunteered their time to make this experience possible for the students.”
— Sabrina Oshelski, Business Development Officer, Limestone FCU
Student feedback highlighted the significant impact of the Financial Reality Fair, with many participants gaining a clearer, more realistic understanding of personal finance and the true cost of everyday living. Students noted how quickly expenses accumulate and how limited their budgets become once real-life costs are applied. Many were surprised by the high price of essential items such as car insurance, routine maintenance, and technology, as well as the fact that even “cheaper” options still carried substantial financial weight. Collectively, their responses underscored how quickly money can disappear and how difficult it can be to build a sustainable budget in today’s economy.
“One of the best ways to save money is to put it into a savings account and avoid online influencer purchases.”
— Student at Laker Superior State University
We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the following volunteers for their dedication and support. Volunteers participated from Limestone FCU, 4Front Credit Union, Lake Superior State University, U.P. Michigan Works!, Keller Williams Northern Michigan Properties, Junior Achievement, Western Great Lakes Pilots Association, and Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools. Our volunteers included: Sheena Adams, Andrew Bowe, Jakob Davie, Jacie Devota, Nikki Dowd McKechnie, Jenny France, Marissa Gonyeau, Evah Henderson, Kiarra Herson, Regina Johannes, Ted Johnson, Joy Kerfoot, Carley McGill, Lynn Pulfrey, Stacey Pace, Sabrina Oshelski, Sophie Shepard, Isaac Terrian, Carley Woods, and Emma Zabik. Their time and efforts were invaluable to the success of the event, and Limestone FCU is grateful for their contributions.
Limestone FCU remains committed to promoting financial education within the communities it serves. By equipping young adults with financial knowledge and practical experience, the credit union continues to empower students to build strong financial foundations for their futures.
