May 19, 2026
HUDSON, Wis. — Students at Hudson High School recently participated in Test Drive…Next Stop Reality® (Test Drive), an interactive financial education simulation presented by the RCU Foundation. The event was held May 19 and engaged approximately 350 students enrolled in personal finance courses, with support from 85 community volunteers.
Prior to the simulation, students selected a career of interest and researched the education requirements and salary associated with that profession to determine their income for the exercise. On the day of the event, students stepped into the role of 25-year-old adults using their calculated income while also being assigned a family status, which could include a spouse or children, to make decisions related to housing, transportation, savings, insurance, childcare, entertainment, and other monthly expenses.
“Programs like Test Drive help bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world experience,” said Deb Paulsen, Financial Education Supervisor at Royal Credit Union. “By partnering with schools and volunteers, we’re able to give students a hands-on opportunity to practice financial decision-making before they face those responsibilities on their own.”
“You can see students begin to think differently about money as they move through the simulation,” said Carrie Hentz, business teacher at Hudson High School. “Many are surprised by how quickly expenses add up, and the experience helps make budgeting and financial planning feel more real and relevant to their future.”
The program reflects the RCU Foundation’s ongoing commitment to expanding access to financial education in the communities served by Royal Credit Union.
More information about the program is available at www.rcu.org/TestDrive.
About RCU Foundation
The RCU Foundation (Foundation) was established in 2012 to support organizations and initiatives in communities where Royal Credit Union operates in western Wisconsin and eastern Minnesota. The Foundation focuses on large-scale, capital projects that help build community and create spaces where people come together. Focus areas include education, health, and the arts. Currently, it has awarded more than $12 million in grants. Contact foundation@rcu.org for more information.
About Royal Credit Union
Royal Credit Union is a federally insured credit union proudly serving over 300,000 Members in Minnesota and Wisconsin. Royal is driven by a core ideology built on a strong purpose and values. You can open an account or apply for a low-rate loan at Royal Credit Union if you live or work in 26 counties in western Wisconsin or 16 counties in Minnesota. Counties served in Wisconsin include Adams, Ashland, Bayfield, Barron, Buffalo, Burnett, Chippewa, Clark, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Jackson, Lincoln, Marathon, Pepin, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Rusk, Sawyer, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Washburn, and Wood. Counties served in Minnesota include Anoka, Carver, Chisago, Dakota, Goodhue, Hennepin, Isanti, Olmsted, Pine, Ramsey, Scott, Sherburne, Wabasha, Washington, Winona and Wright. A complete list of Member eligibility requirements is available on the Royal Credit Union website. To learn more about Royal, visit rcu.org or call 800-341-9911.
