Abound Brings Finance to Life
An unexpected expense can disrupt even the most carefully planned budget—a lesson approximately 125 LaRue County Middle School students experienced through a life-sized financial wellness game presented in partnership with Abound Credit Union.
During the last week of August, Career Labs students in grades six through eight participated in the interactive activity, applying financial concepts to situations they may encounter in the future.
Before Abound’s visit, students spent several days completing a personal finance module covering needs versus wants, unexpected expenses, calculating interest and planning for the future. The game then allowed students to see how those concepts work together when making real-world financial decisions.
“The life-sized financial wellness game helped students better understand how these concepts play out in the real world, making the content more tangible and meaningful,” Career Labs teacher Tori Dangerfield said.
For Dangerfield, one of the activity’s most meaningful moments came when students recognized how quickly an unplanned expense could affect an entire budget.
“One of the biggest ‘lightbulb moments’ was seeing students realize how quickly an unexpected expense can impact a budget,” Dangerfield said. “The game reinforced that financial wellness isn’t just about how much money you make, but also about making thoughtful decisions, planning ahead and being prepared for the unexpected.”
Abound tailors its financial literacy lessons to each grade level.
“At Abound, we place a strong emphasis on investing in students, including those in our local school districts,” Abound Credit Union Vice President, Retail Operations Katie Holt said. “We want students at every grade level to build practical financial knowledge they can carry with them into the future.”
At the elementary level, the program introduces foundational ideas such as distinguishing between wants and needs. Middle school students build on those lessons by learning about budgeting, interest and the consequences of financial decisions. By high school, the programming addresses more complex subjects, including automobile, home and other loans.
“Our financial literacy programming grows with students,” Holt said. "The goal is to help students become more confident and better prepared to make financial decisions in the future.”
Abound representatives use activities and materials designed to make those lessons engaging. The hands-on approach allows students to practice making decisions instead of only reading about financial concepts.
The partnership illustrates how community organizations can help prepare students for life beyond the classroom. By sharing practical knowledge and real-world experience, community partners help students connect classroom learning with the choices and responsibilities they will encounter as adults.
“We look forward to returning to LaRue County Middle School throughout the school year and continuing this financial literacy partnership with the Career Labs program,” Holt said.
