Lynchburg-Clay students learn from Real Money, Real World program

Lynchburg-Clay teachers Brenda Keltner, JoHeather Arnett and Michelle Truman partnered with OSU Extension’s 4-H Youth Development Educator Kathy Bruynis to present Real Money, Real World to over 50 ninth grade students.

Real Money, Real World, a signature program offered through OSU Extension, is an active, hands-on experience that gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budge choices similar to those they will make as adults. They study how occupations will affect their income; learn about payroll deductions by their employers, how to use a savings and checking account, and how to make life choices.

The students assume the role of a 25-year-old adult who earns the sole income provided for a family. They receive an occupation, monthly salary and the number of children (if any) in their family.

At the end of the six classroom lessons, the students complete a real-life simulation. During the simulation, students interacted with local businesses, where they would spend their salaries on “real life” budget items including housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, childcare and transportation.

Throughout this activity, students keep track of their finances and attempt to complete the simulation with a positive balance. Students learn what they can afford and what they cannot afford on their income. Many students commented on how much it costs to raise children and they didn’t realize all the bills their parents have to pay.

Local community representatives were: Highland County Commissioners Office, First State Bank, Merchants National Bank, NCB Bank, Peoples Bank, Southern Hills Community Bank, Hamilton Insurance, State Farm Insurance/Amatha Farrens, 4-H advisers and OSU Extension Educators from Highland and Fayette counties.