Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy; however, Americans still have a long way to go toward making improvements. In 2014, the Jump$tart Coalition compiled a series of statistics that state that even though youth intend to work and save dollars, more students have increased 36% from the previous years of student and credit card debt. 

 Youth are not getting the financial education which they will need for adulthood. According to the 2008 results of the Jump $tart Coalition Survey among 12th grade students received only an average score of 48.3% average on financial literacy testing. (2008 Jump $tart Coalition Survey Results) 

 The 4-H Reality Store is an experiential real-life simulation which provides students the opportunity to explore careers and make lifestyle and budgeting choices.   This was a partnership with Trigg County 4-H, Trigg County Middle School, and the Youth Service Center.  Trigg County 4-H agent, Shelley Crawford, taught the 7^th and 8^th grade classes lessons of finances, taxes, and budgeting.

After meeting with the students, they entered the Reality Store with a monthly salary and a chosen career.  They proceeded through the Reality Store where they had taxes deducted, determine a savings amount, and spend their monthly “paycheck” on the necessary and luxury items that reflected the career and lifestyle they had chosen.  Many youth ended up seeking guidance to re-evaluate their purchases.  At the Chance booth, students learn about some of life’s unexpected expenses.  Throughout this process they also discussed health and nutrition at the grocery booth along with mental health. At the end the youth discussed what they learned and examined where they were at the end of the day.

The goals of the 4-H Reality Store are to:

1. Give students a glimpse of their future in a fun and exciting way.

2. Help all students become aware of basic skills in financial planning, goal setting, decision making and career planning.

3. Help students recognize the preparation needed for the world or work.

4. Motivate students to stay in school.