Success StoryIt’s Your Reality program teaches financial management



It’s Your Reality program teaches financial management

Author: Alexandria Bryant

Planning Unit: Breckinridge County CES

Major Program: Family and Consumer Sciences 4-H Core Curriculum

Plan of Work: Providing opportunities and resources to educate families on financial management

Outcome: Initial Outcome

The United States is facing tough financial times. To develop family financial skills in local youth, the Breckinridge County Extension Office and Youth Service Center hosted “It’s Your Reality” (formerly Reality Store) for two hundred 8th graders at Breckinridge County Middle School. In preparation for this program, youth discussed different career paths, salaries, and education requirements. With the help of thirty-eight community volunteers, youth gained the experience of paying monthly bills using the career and salary assigned to them based on their career interests and GPA. During “It’s Your Reality,” youth visited booths such as Housing, Transportation, Clothing, Child Care, and Entertainment where they made financial decisions on how to spend or save their monthly salary. Youth kept records of their deposits, expenditures, and savings as they visited each booth. After participating in this program, youth had a better understanding of the following: budgeting money (75%), how to make wise financial choices (86%), the link between career choices and lifestyle (89%), the cost of maintaining a household and family (89%), the cost of raising a child (79%), and understanding of savings and economic goals (88%). The “It’s Your Reality” program has prepared Breckinridge County youth for the future by teaching consumer and family financial skills.






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