The problem

The jump from teenager to adulthood can be scary, especially when there is a limit of education to help kids get ready for the realization of how much everything costs. Many kids may have some realization of how adulthood might go, but few have a total grasp at just how difficult it is to manage money and time.

The educational program response

With the lack of understanding from today's youth on money management, the Reality Store was born. This is a program designed to teach our youth on the importance of managing your money, while teaching them exactly how and in which ways to cut costs.

The participants/target audience

The target audience of this program was the 8th grade class of Metcalfe County Middle School. I partnered with the full staff of agents from the Metcalfe County Extension office along with several volunteers from the community to help with the event. High school students were brought in to help, as well!

Program impact or participant response.

This program was held during school towards the end of the school year. Groups of about 25 at a time were brought to the extension office and given 45 minutes to complete their walkthrough of the "store". Inside the store there were things we adults face every month such as house payments, car, insurance, taxes, groceries, utilities, cell phone bill, and more! Many students quickly realized that with their set income, they could not afford all the nice shiny things that they so desired. Once they were in debt, they were able to downsize houses or trade in from the luxury car to a regular sedan. Once everyone had completed their rounds they were picked up and taken back to the school where they would talk about what they had learned. I recall talking to one student in particular that told me "Man I had no idea there were so many bills you have to pay". When I heard this I realized he was probably not the only one that felt this way. This also led some kids to be more grateful for the things they have at home and how hard their parents work. I think this reality store will definitely have an immediate impact on these students' lives and should have a lasting one too.