Recent years of tough economic times have increased awareness of the need for financial literacy; however, Americans still have a long way to go toward making improvements. In 2014, the Jump$tart Coalition compiled a series of statistics that state that even though youth intend to work and save dollars, more students have increased 36% from the previous years of student and credit card debt.  Youth are not getting the financial education which they will need for adulthood. According to the 2008 results of the Jump $tart Coalition Survey among 12th grade students received only an average score of 48.3% average on financial literacy testing. (2008 Jump $tart Coalition Survey Results).

The Meade County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education partnered with the administrative team (principal, youth service center coordinator, 7^th grade counselor and 7^th grade career and college readiness classroom teachers) to implement the 4-H It’s Your Reality program for all 552 7^th grade students (479 Caucasian, 13 African American, 4 Native American, 7 Asian/Pacific Islander, and 49 other) at the school.  

The 4-H It’s Your Reality program works to teach students life skills, the importance of valuing their education and how the effects their life choices can impact their futures.  The program was presented in the classrooms by the career and college readiness classroom teachers; the five lessons covered topics such as money habitudes, budgeting basics, financial goal setting, credit card basics, and having and balancing a bank account.  The 4-H Agent conducted a teacher professional development workshop that covered the lesson “Money Habitudes” and explained the flow of the 4-H It’s Your Reality program.  The culminating event was “Getting Ready to Face Your 4-H Reality” day where students entered the gym and visited community volunteer hosted booths and had to pay monthly bills just like their parents do each month; booths included: child care, housing, transportation, contributions, grocery and many others.   Each student had a specific amount of money based off their future career choice and level of education they planned to complete.  Some students had a family to care for and those were distributed at random in the classroom.  Students were expected to visit every booth to pay their monthly bills and then reserve 3%-10% of their income for savings.

After the program, classroom teachers facilitated the process of the students completing an online evaluation using the Qualtrics system to assess their pre and post responses to the program.  This pre/post assessment brought about the following results.

Before participating in 4-H It’s Your Reality Program:

• 50 percent felt they were good or excellent at budgeting their money.
• 48 percent felt they were good or excellent at making wise financial choices.
• 47 percent recognized the importance of the link between their career choice and their preferred lifestyle.
• 40 percent understood what it costs to raise a child.
• 54 percent were saving for a future economic goal.

After participating in 4-H It’s Your Reality Program:

• 80 percent felt they were good or excellent at budgeting their money. (+30%)
• 80 percent felt they were good or excellent at making wise financial choices. (+32%)
• 70 percent recognized the importance of the link between their career choice and their preferred lifestyle.   (+23%)
• 74 percent understood what it costs to raise a child.  (+34%)
• 75 percent were saving for a future economic goal.  (+21%)
• 60 percent indicated they would definitely be working harder in school.
• 64 percent indicated they would definitely be extending their education beyond high school.
• 78 percent indicated they would definitely beginning to save more money for future goals.

Students were asked how they will plan for the unexpected things that happen in life in regards to finances.  Responses included:

• “I will make sure that I have money saved and get a good job so I can be more successful.”
• “I will try to get better grades and know what my [financial] limits are at the same time.”
• “Have an emergency savings fund.”
• “I will save 5% of my monthly wage, if I can afford it, so I will have money ready for emergencies or unexpected things.”
• “I would be smart about my choices and I’ll do what I need for life ahead.  It will be tough but I try and do my best as an adults and if possible pay mom and mamaw back some money for all they have done for even through the tough times.”
• “I will work harder in school and go to college so I don’t end up like I did in the activity with debt and not being able to pay my bills.”
• “I will keep a budget.”
• “I will plan for the future by saving money and delay having children and also get a higher education.”
• “I will use my new knowledge from the 4-H It’s My Reality when I get into financial trouble.”
• “After the experience I feel that I am ready for unexpected things to happen in my life.  I will plan for it by getting a good job and having savings.”
• “You’re always gonna get hit with things in life you are not expecting and to cooperate with these changes, you have to either take a step back and see what you can do to get passed that challenge.  Or you can let these things happen to you and get knocked down.  It’s your choice and I would definitely not get knocked down.”