The National Credit Union Foundation plans to hold a FinancialReality Fair for the third year in a row at the GAC.

The fair will be held on Wednesday, Feb. 27, from noon to 2 p.m.on the second floor of the Rayburn House Office Building on CapitolHill and will feature participation from four Washington-area highschools.

The reality fair features a series of booths where studentsidentify career choices and try their hand at budgeting to livewithin a monthly salary while paying for housing, utilities,transportation, clothing and food, not to mention entertainment andtravel.

Temptations for extra spending are included as the students arecounseled on how to choose between needs and wants. After theirtrip through the booths, the students sit down for a review sessionwith a financial counselor.

GAC attendees are invited to watch the action at the fairanytime while it's going on, the NCUF said.

“Conducting a Reality Fair at GAC is a great way to exposelegislators and their staff about the unique and impactful financial education programs that are offered by creditunions,” added Lois Kitsch, director of the NCUF's National REALSolutions Program.

“Not only are area high school students benefiting from theexperience as well, but we welcome GAC attendees to the fair to seethe benefits of holding a reality fair in their community,” Kitschsaid.

The NCUF's support for the fair this year comes from the CreditUnion League of Connecticut, Maryland & DC Credit UnionAssociation, Congressional FCU, HEW FCU and GPO FCU.