Career awareness and financial literacy have become a key focus in Adair County. To better equip youth with the skills they need for future success, the Adair County Cooperative Extension Service sponsored a Reality Check program, reaching all 170 eighth-grade students in the county.

This introductory, paper-based program allowed students to choose a career path, family structure, and corresponding starting salary. They were then tasked with making financial decisions, selecting monthly expenses based on their needs, family situation, and personal preferences. The objective: manage their budget successfully without going into debt.

This program serves as a foundation for the more comprehensive Reality Store simulation planned for the spring.

Post-program evaluations showed strong outcomes:

94% of participants reported learning about the importance of budgeting.

93% gained insight into how much money is required to maintain their desired lifestyle.

Programs like Reality Check are helping Adair County youth take their first steps toward financial responsibility and informed career planning.