HUDSON, Wis. — Students at Hudson High School recently participated in Test Drive…Next Stop Reality (Test Drive), an interactive financial education simulation presented by the RCU Foundation. The event was held May 19 and engaged approximately 350 students enrolled in personal finance courses, with support from 85 community volunteers.
Prior to the simulation, students selected a career of interest and researched the education requirements and salary associated with that profession to determine their income for the exercise. On the day of the event, students stepped into the role of 25-year-old adults using their calculated income while also being assigned a family status, which could include a spouse or children, to make decisions related to housing, transportation, savings, insurance, childcare, entertainment, and other monthly expenses.
“Programs like Test Drive help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience,” said Deb Paulsen, Financial Education Supervisor at Royal Credit Union. “By partnering with schools and volunteers, we’re able to give students a hands-on opportunity to practice financial decision-making before they face those responsibilities on their own.”
“You can see students begin to think differently about money as they move through the simulation,” said Carrie Hentz, business teacher at Hudson High School. “Many are surprised by how quickly expenses add up, and the experience helps make budgeting and financial planning feel more real and relevant to their future.”
The program reflects the RCU Foundation’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to financial education in the communities served by Royal Credit Union.
