“The Reality Store is a realistic look into their future,” said Natalie Daily Federer, Purdue Extension of Pulaski County, County Extension director. “The kids research and pick a career and then are provided a salary and have to learn to budget their money as they pay taxes, school loans, purchase a car and house and much more.”

Reality Store is designed to be an educational experience for eighth-grade students from West Central to promote completing high school and seeking secondary education. Students move throughout the Reality Store to purchase what they need in life and to learn about higher education, budgeting their money and what it takes to live the life they want to live. As they work their way around the Reality Store, they also encounter unexpected events which often throw them for financial or personal loops.

Monica Gainor, West Central Middle School counselor, helps organize the event. Her students wrote down comments on their Reality Store Book such as, “You have to spend money wisely,” “Bills and things are expensive and right now, we have it easy,” and “It’s difficult to be an adult.”

“When they unexpectedly have a child, and have to pay for food, clothing and daycare, that really makes the students take a step back and see how expense raising a child is,” said Daily Federer. “They sometimes try to return the child which is unrealistic and humorous, but we explain to them that it doesn’t work that way. They may need to return their cell phone or get a cheaper vehicle to make their budget work.”

The Reality Store is done in partnership with West Central 8th grade and the Purdue Cooperative Extension Office of Pulaski County. If you have questions about Reality Store, please contact the Extension Office at 574-946-3412.

Article submitted by: Natalie Daily Federer, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.