A total of 232 students with Leslie County 8th grades and Leslie County High School Sophomore Class had a “reality check” when the Leslie County Cooperative Extension Office hosted the annual 4-H It’s Your Reality Program. The simulation follows classroom lessons and is designed to introduce students to financial realities through mock budgeting choices and lifestyle decisions. The pre-event classroom lessons included teaching and discussions about needs, wants, decision making and more.  It was stressed that studying and making good grades is a wise decision and most often more education means better paying jobs. We pretend that every student is 25 years old, and they are the “sole” providers for their families. These lessons allowed each student to choose a career based on their aspirations, goals and grades!  Students also were assigned, by chance a family size which determined many choices they would make once arriving at Leslie County Extension for  It’$ Your Reality! 

 Upon arrival to the simulation, students could spend their one-month’s salary established during the in-class lessons.  Participants went from “store” to “store”, paying expenses ranging from transportation, to insurance, to housing, to taxes, to communications, to entertainment, to student loan repayment, and more. The 17 store fronts represented different expenses they would have to make decisions about when choosing their lifestyles. 

 Volunteer evaluations shared many similar thoughts about how they felt the Reality Program was beneficial to students.  One volunteer, who hosted the “Communications Store” of the simulation stated, “It’s Your Reality introduces students to the financial reality associated with adulthood. It shows them the importance that financial decision making has on their future. One important goal is to make them more mindful of their spending decisions".

 Evaluations that were collected from the participants revealed that 96% of the respondents found the simulation exercise educational. Notably, 98% of the respondents reported that they are likely to try harder in school and get more education after high school.  

Vicki Boggs, Leslie County Extension Agent for 4-H Youth Development Education, was excited to report on the partnership and overall experience. She said, “I feel that the program was a tremendous success for  Leslie County Cooperative Extension  and UK Cooperative Extension Service. Our partnership with our local schools allowed us to reach a diverse audience with educational information related to important skills and knowledge necessary for financial management and security. The knowledge gained will allow our youth to work towards financial security while in school and strengthen their transitions into the workforce. The program was supported by numerous community agencies, organizations, and businesses with the involvement of over 35 volunteers who shared their time and expertise! This is definitely a program we plan to continue and hope to see grow in the future in Leslie County.”