OSU Extension Highland County presents Real Money, Real World to Whiteoak students

By Kathy Bruynis
OSU Extension Educator
4-H Youth Development 
Ohio Valley Extension Education Research Area

Ohio State University Extension Highland County recently presented Real Money, Real World to 104 seventh- and eighth-grade students at Whiteoak High School.

Real Money, Real World (RMRW), a signature program offered through OSU Extension.

RMRW is an active, hands-on experience that gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budge choices similar to those they will make as adults. They study how occupations will affect their income; learn about payroll deductions by their employers, how to use a savings and checking account, and how to make life choices.

The students assume the role of a 27-year-old adult. They receive an occupation, monthly salary, and the number of children (if any) in their family. At the end of the classroom lessons, the students complete a real-life simulation.

During the simulation, students interacted with local businesses where they would spend their salaries on “real-life” budget items including housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, childcare, and transportation.

Throughout this activity, students keep track of their finances and attempt to complete the simulation with a positive balance. Students learn what they can afford and what they cannot afford on their income.

Many students commented on how much it costs to raise children and how adults have to make a lot of decisions.

Local community representatives included: NCB Bank, Merchants National Bank, State Farm Insurance/Amatha Farrens, 4-H volunteers, 4-H Junior Leaders, student volunteers, as well as OSU Extension Educators from Brown Counties and Pike Counties.

The next Real Money, Real World simulation will be held at Hillsboro City Schools on Nov. 20.