In 2022, the poverty rate for Bullitt County was 11.1%, and although this poverty rate is lower than the state and national averages for poverty (16.5% and 11.6% respectively), our community wants our youth to be prepared with the financial skills to fight poverty. According to the 2019 Community Assessment for Bullitt County, stakeholders wanted to see increases in youth career readiness and in youth life skills training, which included money management and life decision making.

Bullitt County 4-H partnered with the Family Resource Youth Services Coordinator for Mount Washington Middle School and Eastside Middle School to host the Reality Store Program for current 8^th grade students using the Reality Store Curriculum created by the University of Kentucky. Reality Store is an experiential learning opportunity for students to get a small dose of how much the “real” world costs. During this program, students must budget and manage their money based on their chosen careers. For both schools, students chose their careers based on their current GPAs. We utilized the Bullitt East High School Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) to operate the booths as the students rotated throughout.

During this program, we had approximately 385 students, 20 FBLA volunteers, and the school administrative team and teachers who were participating or helping with Reality Store. Of the 385 student participants, 195 were girls, 4 students identified as Asian, 8 identified as Hispanic, 3 identified as Black, and 13 identified as Two or more races.

After this program, we wanted to see an increase in knowledge over budgeting, have participants understand the link between career choices and how much money you make will influence the lifestyle you can have, how much it costs to maintain a household and provide for children, and why saving money in important. We hope to see participants practice responsible financial decision making and develop habits that will contribute to employment in the future. Below are some reflections from participants.

Sawyer- After this experience, I am concerned about how much all the vitals of life will cost in the real world. I am also concerned about how much life will cost with kids making things cost more, it raises many questions. I wonder...will I be able to afford other things in the world.

Kylie- I'm less scared about being an adult and paying for everything now that I've had this experience.

Elijah- The first thing that surprised me was how much the childcare was. My three kids cost lots of money.

 Ella- In the Reality Store today I learned that it isn't easy to afford things and take care of people. This made me realize how important it is to go to college and get a good pay job. It also made me realize how you need to be able to care for your kids before you have them and be cautious of the amount you have. In the end, I think this was a very good way for us to be able to understand the concept of money and how the real world is.

 Reece- This experience taught me to do things I never knew about or even thought of before, and it made me want to figure out good ways to make money and better ways to spend it.

 Dexter- Today in the "Reality Store" I learned a lot about budgeting my money. It really surprised me how fast money runs out, even on a seemingly high salary. I realize now why my mom gets upset with me when I ask for or buy something I don't need. Money doesn't go on trees, and you have to save it for the important things.