Simulations are a useful tool for teaching personal finance concepts. With realistic information about hypothetical individuals or households, including salaries, educational attainment, marital status, and household expenses, simulations provide an opportunity for students to appreciate the economic impact of a post-secondary education and to practice financial management skills such as check writing and budgeting. In addition, simulations are interactive, which makes learning fun and help develop participants' interpersonal and teamwork skills. Educators serve as facilitators of the learning process (e.g., posing debriefing questions) rather than in the traditional lecture presentation role. The Boyd County 4-H partners with over 60 community agencies to conduct two Reality Store with over 500 8^th grade students. Reality Store is a great example of simulating financial situations.

While participating in Reality Store, students chose a career but must qualify for that career with their current grade point average. Reality Store uses the storefront approach, where participants visit a series of booths to pay their "bills" using “4-H money”.  At each station, they make decisions concerning their standard of living (e.g., a one-bedroom apartment versus a three bedroom home). They make spending choices and cope with the unexpected. 

The post surveys conducted with every participants revealed the following:

100% - Realized the need for better grades

88%- Felt that children were a huge expense

72%- Learned that you must plan more expensive items such as luxury cars and vacations

49%- Felt that they were making the best grades they could

100%- Felt that the 4-H Reality Store made them realize how important school was to their future

Financial education simulations can help young adults and students understand how personal behaviors and decisions affect a person's finances and quality of life. Boyd County 4-H Reality Store participants are great examples of how these programs can help students.