Vilvoorde (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – About 350 students joined the “Wakostda?! +” fair at Asiat Park in Vilvoorde, organised by Budgetinzicht Halle-Vilvoorde, where Tessa Verberckmoes taught youth practical budgeting and financial planning.
As VRT News reported, about 350 students from Flemish Brabant took part in the “Wakostda?! +” fair at Asiat Park in Vilvoorde, where they learned how to manage a budget and understand the real costs of adult life. Each student received a simulated net salary and had to make choices at different stalls representing everyday expenses. They visited stands for housing, groceries, leisure, and media.
How did 350 students in Vilvoorde learn the real cost of Living?
The event was organised by Budgetinzicht Halle-Vilvoorde, a group that helps people improve financial skills and avoid debt. Project officer Tessa Verberckmoes explained that the fair helps young people see how much daily life actually costs. Participants also learned where to get help if they face financial problems or need support starting a business.
The “Wakostda?! +” fair, normally organised in schools, was held this year at Asiat Park in Vilvoorde. The event brought together several partners, including health insurance funds, trade unions, Public Centres for Social Welfare (PCSWs), the VDAB employment agency, JAC (Youth Advice Centre), and Overkop, which provides safe spaces for young people.
Many discovered that they could turn to a union if they lost their job or contact their health insurance fund if they fell ill. Organisers said young people often lack this knowledge before entering adult life.
The organisers were satisfied with the turnout in Vilvoorde, noting that many students had already learned valuable lessons on the first day. Several participants said they were surprised by how high everyday costs can be, especially for housing, groceries, and utilities. The fair’s interactive approach allowed them to experience how quickly expenses can add up and how important it is to manage money carefully.
“The young people are shocked when they hear the prices of an energy or water bill. But they also underestimate the cost of shopping or a Netflix subscription,”
says Verberckmoes.
“So they had to make choices, and they didn’t find that easy. But that’s precisely our message: if you’re going to live alone, do the math beforehand and keep a close eye on your budget. That will take you a long way.”
The “Wakostda?!” fair was initiated in 2016 by Budgetinzicht Halle-Vilvoorde to improve students’ money management skills and awareness of living costs on a day-to-day basis. This program was initiated in schools in Flanders-Braabant.
Many surrounding cities would attend each year to accomplish their mission of reaching as many students as possible and delivering hands-on financial awareness lessons. In 2019, it evolved into “Wakostda?! +” and in 2025 was hosted at the Asiat Park in Vilvoorde, from October 28, 2025, to November 1, 2025.
Comments
20 responses to “350 Students Attend Wakostda Fair in Vilvoorde with Verberckmoes”
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Blimey, 350 students learning about budgeting! Next, we’ll have them figuring out the cost of their own coffee breaks—what a shocker! ☕💸
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Looks like 350 students in Vilvoorde just found out that adulting isn’t all avocado toast and lattes—who knew budgeting would be more shocking than the price of a Belgian beer? 🍻💸
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350 students had a jolly good time learning just how much a Netflix subscription can ruin their weekend plans. Who knew adulthood came with such delightful surprises? 😂💸
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Oh, brilliant! 350 students discovering that adulting costs more than a pint in a pub. Who knew that Netflix and water bills could be such shockers? 🤦♂️💸
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Must be a real eye-opener for those students, learning that their dream of adulting comes with a price tag that’s more shocking than a Belgian beer bill at 2 AM. 🍺💸
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350 students figuring out budgeting in Vilvoorde? There’s nothing quite like realising that adult life costs more than a pint in a dodgy pub. 😏💸
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350 students learning about budgeting? Brilliant! Just what every teenager dreams of—an interactive lesson on how to afford their coffee and avocado toast in this bloody expensive world! 😂💸
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350 students learning about budgeting? Brilliant! Next, let’s send them to a fair on how to survive on a €5 lunch in Brussels. 😂💸
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350 students figuring out that adulting isn’t just a walk in the park—who knew rent and Netflix could actually cost you? 😂 I guess they’ll be budgeting their way to the next fair, just to afford a coffee! ☕️
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350 students at a fair learning about budgets? Brilliant! Next up, they might teach them how to survive on instant noodles while dreaming of owning a yacht! 😂💸
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Guess they finally figured out that adulting comes with a price tag! Who knew learning to budget could be more shocking than a pint in London? 🍻💸
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Oh, 350 students learning the art of budgeting, how thrilling! Next, let’s teach them how to survive on a diet of instant noodles and hope for a miracle—classic adulting, innit? 😅💸
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So, 350 students go to a fair to learn about the ‘real costs’ of living—talk about a fun day out! 🤣 Next, they’ll need a fair on how to survive on instant noodles and the occasional free Wi-Fi!
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350 students learning about adulting costs? Now that’s a shocker! 🙄 Who knew housing, groceries, and a Netflix binge would actually dent the wallet? 😂
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350 students at a fair learning about budgeting? Brilliant idea! Might as well hand out a manual on how to budget your way out of a midlife crisis while we’re at it! 😂💸
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350 students learning about budgeting? Brilliant idea! Maybe now they’ll finally grasp that “adulting” isn’t just about surviving on instant noodles and scrolling Netflix 😅💸.
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350 students learning about budgeting? Brilliant! Just what we need—a bunch of younglings flabbergasted by their first utility bills. Who knew adulting came with such a hefty price tag? 😂 #ShockingRevelations
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So, 350 students learning about budgeting—what a revolutionary idea! Guess the school of hard knocks wasn’t cutting it anymore, eh? 😂💸
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350 students, eh? Who knew the secret to adulting was just a fair away! 🍻 Next up, a workshop on how not to cry over your bank statements! 😂
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Looks like 350 students just discovered that adulting isn’t all fancy brunches and Netflix marathons—who knew budgeting could be so… enlightening? 😂 Well done, Tessa, teaching them the real cost of living before they hit the rental market!
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