Students at Hillsboro City Schools link education with their future through live 'real world' simulation

Courtesy of Kathy Bruynis
County Director4-H Youth Development Educator
College of Food Agriculture and Enviornmental Sciences
OSU Extension

As adults, each of us works hard to make our monthly income cover the necessities and will have some left over at the end of the month for retirement savings and long-term goals. Wouldn’t it be great if we could have had a “trial run” at adult spending decisions while we were still young and able to choose our future career?

That’s the idea behind Real Money. Real World., a program developed by Ohio State University Extension and coordinated locally by Hillsboro Schools and OSU Extension, Highland County. This program allows middle and high school students to make life choices and get a taste of the real world.

On May 1, students from Hillsboro had an opportunity to experience first-hand how expenses for necessities, as well as luxuries, must be balanced with reality of monthly income. Students were given an occupation, monthly income, credit card debt, and even a child or two. “Real Money. Real World.” help youth realize that their career choice, the education required for career, and potential lifestyle are related.

Here’s how Real. Money. Real World. Works: School officials and local program coordinator invite community business representatives and 4-H volunteers at spending booths at the school. The booths provide various services such as banking, groceries, transportation, child care, and utilities. With their monthly “paychecks” in hand, students are required to visit each store (booth) to purchase goods and services.

Those who spend wisely may have money left over at the end of the month; students who make lower salaries or make expensive purchase barely break even, or may even go bankrupt. For those who can’t make ends meet, there’s a Financial Advice booth where advice and options are offered.

It’s all just make-believe, but it carries a serious message.

A lot of teens have big ideas about buying a fancy car or big house, but they really can’t afford it. Going through Real Money. Real World. and seeing for themselves how expensive life can be make a big impact. Real Money. Real World. Real Money. Real World. Is planned to simulate real life as closely as possible. Students are randomly assigned a career and number of children.

They quickly learn how child care is one of the biggest expenses. They also visit the “chance” booth where “life happens” dealing with something unexpected such as car repairs, dental visits, etc. Students with degrees beyond high school are require to make a monthly student loan payment.

A minimum-wage job may sound like a lot of money to someone who is 14, but we want them to ask themselves if minimum wage will meet their needs when they are responsible for a family as an adult.

The popularity of Real Money. Real World. is growing. The next Real Money. Real World simulation will be held on May 22 at Fairfield Local Schools.

For more information, contact Kathy Bruynis at the Highland County Extension office at 937-393-1918 or email at bruynis.5@ous.edu.