Financial literacy is an essential life skill, yet many young students lack early exposure to money management concepts. Recognizing this gap, the success of the 4-H Reality Store for high school students highlighted the need to introduce financial education at an earlier age to help students understand the value of money and make informed spending choices.

In response to this need, the 4-H Dollars and Sense program was developed to introduce elementary students to the basics of financial planning and responsibility. The program simulates real-life spending decisions by giving each student an allowance for a week. Students visit interactive booths where they must make decisions on purchasing items such as a pet, pet food, toys, candy, fast food, and a mode of transportation (bicycle, roller blades, or skateboard). All students are required to purchase a pet and a transportation option to teach responsibility and the importance of budgeting. Teachers and Harlan County 4-H supported program delivery, emphasizing hands-on learning and real-world application..

Over 140 sixth- and eighth-grade students in Harlan County participated in the 4-H Dollars and Sense program. The target audience was elementary and early middle school students, selected to instill strong financial habits before entering high school. Teachers also engaged with the program, offering support and feedback.

Program evaluation showed significant improvements in students' financial literacy. Seventy percent of students reported an increased understanding of money management skills after participating in the program. Additionally, the number of students who said they would always consider the cost of an item before purchasing it rose from 34% before the program to 75% afterward. Many teachers and students identified learning to care for a pet and writing checks as the most challenging, yet beneficial, parts of the experience. These results indicate that the 4-H Dollars and Sense program effectively enhanced students' financial awareness and decision-making skills, preparing them for a more stable financial future.