[Image: Dr. Floyda Jan Hicks helps students with their insurance selections.]“Welcome to the Real World,” a financial management program presented by the LSU AgCenter, reached all 185 eighth-grade students in Franklin Parish publilc school system on May 12.
The event was conducted at Crowville and Gilbert junior high schools by LSU AgCenter agent Ginger Boutwell and a group of volunteers made up of local business owners, members of Future Business Leaders of America, community volunteers and the parish school system curriculum coordinators.
The volunteers operated eight stations where students made decisions on transportation, housing, insurance, food, clothing, utilities and entertainment and at a station of chance where they faced such events as having a flat tire, receiving a gift or other situations.
Bankers visited classrooms a week before the simulation activity to teach students about checking and savings accounts and debit cards, Boutwell said. The students had replica paper checks to use to pay “bills” during the exercise.
Each student chose or was assigned a career and the salary associated with it. They included such jobs as football players, farmers, doctors, nurses, physical therapists and pharmacists.
At the housing station, students chose whether they wanted to live in the city or country and were given cost ranges for renting or owing their homes.
At the transportation station, students heard from Frog Crain with Dennis Crain Dodge who has volunteered for several years.
“I volunteer for community service,” Crain said. “That is the way I was raised.”
Crain asked the students what they would be using a vehicle for and how many miles they would drive. Then he explained that a vehicle is the second most expensive item they would buy.
“Ask if it fits the needs you have for your life,” Crain said about their choices. “If you’re going to be a daddy, what would you need? If you’re not going to pull anything, you need a car. Can you pay for this vehicle when you get it? It won’t be fun sleeping in your car.”
He reminded the students they have to have a roof over their heads and food for their stomachs and explained that insurance on a sports car is more expensive than for a compact car. Each student also had to add $80 for gas to the check they made out for transportation.
Dr. Jan Hicks, a retired LSU AgCenter family and consumer science program leader, helped the students match insurance costs with the vehicle and home they chose.
In the entertainment area, students were given the cost of such “luxuries” as renting DVDs, buying movies, going on vacation, throwing parties, attending concerts and sporting events and hobby fees.
Garrett Eley wrote “fun stuff” on the memo for th[Image: Frog Crain of Dennis Crain Dodge discusses transportation choices with students.]e check he wrote to “Real World Entertainment.”
“I’m tired of Real World costs,” said Hunter Walker, who had the salary of a doctor.
The youth faced extra charges on such utilities as Internet, cell phone and long distance calls to add to the $265 “check” they had already written for gas, electricity, water, sewage, basic cable and a telephone.
“This stuff is depressing, bro,” said Andrew Head. “And I was a doctor.”
“I’m bankrupt,” said Christian Beach, a “chef.” “And I got the cheapest house,” she said. “I guess I will have to live near my parents.”
Angie Knapik of Ouachita Valley Credit Union led the grocery station lesson, stressing the importance of taking care of your debit card. “Do not lose your debit card,” she said. “It is like cash in hand; it can bankrupt you. Take care of it like the key to your house.
Knapik told the students they must write down all of their transactions so as to not to be overdrawn
She told the youths the lessons learned at the Real World event would help them the rest of their lives. Whereas one child thought money, family and oxygen were necessities, Knapik reinforced that shelter, utilities and food are items people must have to live.
“My kids would starve,” said Walker after learning groceries would cost $400 a month.In the clothing area, the youth were told they needed to make their choices depending on what type of job they had – indoors or outdoors – and had to add $20 for laundry and dry cleaning.
In the chance secti[Image: Student enters the check she wrote in her check register and balances her account.]on, the youths drew cards that either gave them a bonus or an unexpected expense. “I don’t have a dog,” said one who drew a veterinarian bill.
“I don’t want to throw a party,” said another.
“I had a car wreck,” another said with a frown.
Bonus money came from drawing a “garage sale” or “gift from grandparents” card.
Jared Walker had $2,500 left after the exercise. “I bought everything as cheap as I could,” said the “pharmacist.”
"I’m still going to be rich because I like money,” said Devonte Carter after the day was over.
Julie Carrington, a math teacher at Gilbert, said she would give bonus points to students who had a positive balance in their account.
“I taught school for 20 years, and I know they need this lesson,” Boutwell said