On Friday, Feb. 13, BrightBridge Credit Union (BrightBridge) and Methuen High School came together to host the annual Credit for Life Fair, an immersive financial literacy experience designed to prepare graduating seniors for life beyond high school.
Held in the Klimas Field House at Methuen High School, the two-hour simulation challenged students to step into their future by selecting a career aligned with their post-graduation goals and receiving a projected salary. From there, students moved through a series of interactive stations where they made realistic financial decisions they may soon face, including choices around higher education, housing, transportation and everyday living expenses.
“The Credit for Life Fair remains a cornerstone of Methuen High School’s commitment to preparing students for postsecondary success,” said Methuen High School Associate Principal Glenda Javier. “By experiencing firsthand the financial impact of their decisions, students left the event with strengthened financial literacy skills and increased confidence in their ability to make informed choices about their futures.”
Throughout the fair, students explored how lifestyle decisions—such as dining out, joining a gym or owning a pet—can impact their monthly budget. They were also met with unexpected scenarios at “The Wheel of Misfortune,” where chance events tested their financial flexibility by introducing surprises that could either strain their budget or provide a financial boost. The experience concluded at the credit counseling station, where volunteers reviewed each student’s financial choices and helped connect the dots between income, expenses and long-term planning. These one-on-one conversations reinforced the importance of budgeting and informed decision-making.
Photo Caption: BrightBridge team members helped students understand the impacts of higher education and how student loans will affect their financial goals. From left: Teller Carol Casado, VP of Member Support Zobeida Duarte, Operations Specialist Heather Rabs, Communications Specialist Kristin Cole and Methuen Branch Manager Lina Quijano.
Since its launch in 2018, the Credit for Life Fair has grown into a meaningful collaboration between BrightBridge and Methuen High School. The event is supported by dozens of volunteers from BrightBridge, the Methuen school district and local professional and community organizations, all of whom bring real-world insight and guidance to the students.
“Hosting the Credit for Life Fair at the high school level is one of the most impactful ways we can prepare students for the realities of adulthood,” says BrightBridge Marketing Specialist and Credit for Life Coordinator Olivia Pink. “By giving them a hands-on opportunity to create a budget, manage expenses and make real-world financial decisions, we’re equipping them with skills that extend far beyond the classroom.” For the volunteers, the event was equally impactful as it provided opportunities to connect with local students about their post-college plans.
“It was so exciting to volunteer at this year’s Credit for Life Fair and support students in the very community where I both live and work,” said BrightBridge’s Methuen Branch Manager Lina Quijano. “Having candid conversations with graduating seniors about their goals and financial futures and guiding them through real-life scenarios makes this event especially rewarding. With a daughter of my own, it’s a powerful reminder of how important it is to invest in the next generation.”
