Hampton Bays High School seniors recently took part in an engaging and interactive financial literacy virtual simulation designed to prepare students for life beyond graduation.

The program, facilitated by Bite of Reality in partnership with People’s Alliance Credit Union, gave students the opportunity to make real-world financial decisions through a web-based virtual program. During the simulation, students were each assigned a career, income, credit score and family profile and were tasked with budgeting for essential and lifestyle expenses. They navigated to a series of booths run by community volunteers that each represented common monthly expenses, including housing, transportation, dining, entertainment and childcare. At each booth, they selected from options that worked with their budget. They also explored borrowing options, learning firsthand how loans and credit impact their overall financial picture.

The experience challenged students to think critically about spending, saving and financial planning while reinforcing the importance of making informed decisions.

Date Added: 4/8/2026