NuMark branches will be CLOSED on Monday, January 20th for Martin Luther King Jr. Day. We will reopen for normal business hours on Tuesday, January 21st.
Bite of Reality
Bite of Reality gives teens a taste of the real world complete with an occupation, salary, spouse, student loan debt, credit card debt and medical insurance payments.
Bite of Reality is a hands-on app based simulation that appeals to teens while giving them a taste of real-world financial realities. Teens are given a fictional occupation, salary, credit score, spouse and a child, student loan debt, credit card debt, and medical insurance payments. The teens then walk around to various table-top stations to “purchase” housing, transportation, food, clothing, and other needs. Fortunately, the game also includes a “credit union” to help with their financial needs.
This interactive activity will teach teens how to make financial decisions and give them a better understanding of the challenges of living on a budget. Teens will have to deal with a pushy “car salesperson” and a commission-based “realtor,” and weigh their wants versus their needs. There’s even a “Fickle Finger of Fate” that will give the students unexpected “expenses” or “windfalls”—just like in real life.
Got questions? We’ve got answers! Explore our FAQ to learn about our services, account options, and other aspects of NuMark’s financial support.
Teenage students take on the role of an adult in futuristic Bite of Reality. They are given jobs, income, a family, and debt. This is an app based program so a smartphone or tablet device are critical to participate. If smart devices are unable to be used, please contact us to see what the alternative would be to conduct this program with your group.
Each teen must visit merchants to select housing, transportation, food, housing, transportation, food, household necessities, clothing, day care and other wants and needs while building a budget. NuMark Credit Union has an office in Bite of Reality, too. Bite of Reality allows participants to make mistakes and suffer the consequences of their decisions in a realistic, but safe environment. Most participants are surprised to learn “I can’t have a big house and a new truck on my salary and still pay for day care and groceries.” Once the shock wears off, they reevaluate their choices and manage their money more effectively.
The app that the students will use for this program is called “Bite of Reality 2”. It can be downloaded from either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. Once downloaded, the participant will need a Sponsor and Event code that will be provided by the facilitator of the program on the day of the event.
Click here for app download instructions.
It does not cost anything. We will come to your school for free.
The Bite of Reality simulation takes approximately 1 – 1.5 hours depending on the number of students that participate. An ideal student size would be at least 40 students. Contact us for a more specific estimation.
We also offer a classroom simulation designed for a class of 25 students or less. This condensed version takes an 1-1.5 hours.
If the station version of the program is used, it is recommended that there are 10 volunteer adults to play the role of the various merchants. If this program was to take place in a classroom with a smaller group and the PowerPoint version was to be used on a projector, only 1-3 volunteers would be needed. It’s easy and fun to be a volunteer. We can quickly show volunteers how to be effective in their role in Bite of Reality.
For the merchant station version (a large group), the ideal location would be a large open room. If hosting at a school, the gymnasium would be the best location. For the PowerPoint version (smaller group) a classroom with a projector is the ideal location.
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