Laconia middle schoolers learn financial literacy at Service Credit Union

From left, Jarrod Camps, Jaden Camps, Preston Daub, Hunter Beaule, Nicole Camps and Cameron Camps pick up some swag from Sean Hladick, right, community relations manager at Service Credit Union, in Gilford, on Saturday. (Jeremy Hart/The Laconia Daily Sun photo)

Laconia Middle School students are learning real-world financial literacy through Service Credit Union’s “Bite of Reality” simulation in school and a new “Laconia Middle School Day” event at the Gilford branch.

Bite of Reality in the classroom

Representatives from Service Credit Union brought the “Bite of Reality” program into Laconia Middle School as part of a new family and consumer science curriculum. Students use an app to select a fictional job, salary, and family situation, including factors like spouse, children, student loan debt, credit card debt, and insurance payments. The simulation requires them to budget for major life expenses and distinguish between needs and wants, giving them a firsthand look at how quickly money can be stretched.

Through the exercise, students learn core concepts such as budgeting, credit scores, and the differences between credit and debit, while reacting to “surprise” costs that mirror adult financial life. One student noted that the activity highlighted how expensive everyday items—especially vehicles—can be, underscoring the importance of planning and informed decision-making.

Role of Service Credit Union

Family and consumer science teacher Tiffany Dube reached out to Service Credit Union specifically to bring in a hands-on, community-based financial literacy resource at no cost to the school. Service Credit Union staff regularly partner with schools around New Hampshire to deliver these types of interactive financial education programs, aligning with their broader focus on financial wellness. Sean Hladick, Service Credit Union’s manager of community relations, emphasized that introducing these skills early helps students be ready for the financial decisions they will face as adults and supports a lifelong healthy relationship with money.

In addition to in-school programs, Service Credit Union runs a suite of financial literacy classes and resources—both virtual and in-person—covering topics like budgeting, saving, credit management, and goal planning, which complement what the students experience in Bite of Reality. These efforts are part of the credit union’s ongoing recognition of Financial Literacy Month and its broader mission to give members and communities practical tools for money management.

Laconia Middle School Day at Gilford branch

On Saturday, May 16, Service Credit Union is hosting “Laconia Middle School Day” at its Gilford branch at 5 Sargents Place, expanding the Bite of Reality experience into the branch environment. The event offers a hands-on, app-based Bite of Reality simulation so students can again “live” a day of adult financial life, this time alongside their families. Inside and outside the branch, there will be guided branch tours, opportunities for students to ask staff questions, and kid-friendly activities designed to make financial education engaging and approachable.

Parents and guardians can apply for credit union membership on-site while students participate, and those who want to open an account are asked to bring $5, a government-issued photo ID, and a Social Security number, with minors needing a parent or guardian present. The free event is open to students, families, and area youth, and will also feature giveaways, refreshments, and interactive activities that aim to make conversations about money more comfortable at home.