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Real Money, Real World
What is Real Money, Real World? 
It is a fun, hands-on simulation that gives young people the opportunity to learn about real life budget and lifestyle choices that they will face as adults.
How does it work?
Participants start by investigating various careers. Then they receive a monthly salary for their chosen career, along with a checkbook, check register, and deposit slips.
Then off they go into "Real Money, Real World," a series of booths staffed by volunteers from the local business community. The booths include categories such as:
Housing Utilities
Transportation Clothing
Groceries Communications
The housing booth might be staffed by a local real estate agent who volunteers his/her time, and the transposrtation booth by a local car dealer.
But the first stop of the day is to the Uncle Sam Booth. A shocking first taste of the "Real Money, Real World" is that not all the money you make is yours to take home! At each booth, the youth choose their expenditures, write a check to that category, and balance their checkbook.
At the end of the session, participants complete their experience by evaluating their choices. If they have a negative checkbook balance, they consider the various alternative choices they could have made to have had a positive balance left in their checkbook.
The program can be done as a three hour workshop (the simulation itself), or as a three, six, or nine hour session format that includes career exploration. The simulation has powerful impact on participants who are often shocked at the "reality" of expenses. A new appreciation for parental budgeting is often seen, too.
Whom do you contact for information on the "Real Money, Real World" Program?
4-H Youth Development
OSU Extension, Greene County
Phone: 937-372-9971 or
937-472-2883, Ext 5052
Fax: 937-372-4040 or
email: bridgeman.7@osu.edu
