Sage Reed reacts as chance deals her theoretical career as an actor a major blow – a layoff – during CU 4 Reality, a financial literacy fair held at NHTI in Concord on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Reed had to visit a credit counselor after being laid off to see how the event would impact the budget she had created based on her selected career. (ELIZABETH FRANTZ / Monitor staff)
Sage Reed reacts as chance deals her theoretical career as an actor a major blow – a layoff – during CU 4 Reality, a financial literacy fair held at NHTI in Concord on Thursday, May 11, 2017. Reed had to visit a credit counselor after being laid off to see how the event would impact the budget she had created based on her selected career. (ELIZABETH FRANTZ / Monitor staff)

With their chosen career and potential salary information in hand, Rundlett Middle School eighth-graders set out to create hypothetical spending plans during CU 4 Reality, a financial literacy fair at NHTI in Concord on Thursday. The students budgeted for monthly bills such as utilities, insurance and housing costs, as well as lifestyle choices. Curveballs were simulated by the “wheel of reality” which dealt some students with unforeseen expenses such as a auto repairs or a layoff, but rewarded others with work bonuses or a tax refund. The annual event was sponsored by New Hampshire Federal Credit Union.