Seniors get real with Reality Check financial training
Seniors participating in Reality Check will undoubtedly have run-ins with Fate, a booth that hands out unexpected changes in financial circumstances during the simulation. (Photo submitted)
By Molly Moser
Clayton Ridge seniors will take a hard look at the financial realities of life during Reality Check, a day-long simulation held at Prairie du Chien High School on April 22. Students will engage in activities with over 40 real businesses to gain insight and understanding of the pressures associated with living costs and monthly spending once they leave the nest.
Graduating seniors are required to take a course in personal finance to receive their diplomas, and Reality Check meets that condition through the simulation day and prior training sessions in career selection, exploration of education requirements, figuring expected monthly income, banking tasks like writing checks and balancing checkbooks, credit card hazards, investing, and the need for automobile, life, and health insurance.
Eight high schools including Boscobel, Cassville, Central, Decorah, Prairie du Chien, River Ridge, Seneca, and Wauzeka-Steuben will participate, bringing an estimated 350 students to the event. “We perform digital exit interviews with each student,” said Michelle Fassbinder, Clayton Ridge’s liason with participating school districts. “The most common comment from students is, 'I’m really glad I did this, because I didn’t know these things before.'” Fassbinder also noted that many students comment on how expensive raising children can be.
Participating seniors select a career and decide whether to rent or lease vehicles and housing. They’re given checkbooks (donated by Peoples State Bank) and debit cards and must travel to 35 booths manned by local merchants, banks, stores, and businesses – booths that address the costs of child care, housing, groceries, utilities, insurance, loans, and entertainment; applying for part-time jobs (if they find their 9-5 job isn’t making ends meet); and even fate, which can deal them positive or negative experiences. “A cop may come by and arrest you for speeding, taking you to the booth with a judge and lawer, or the nurse might contact you because your child had a health emergency at school,” Fassbinder explained.
Students are given a packet to guide them through each booth, including two stops at the fate booth. They begin by filling in their gross pay, then subtracting taxes and loan payments, occupational insurance, investments, automobile and housing costs. Then it’s off to the booths, facing reality with what’s left of their paychecks.
Over 100 volunteers help students through the Reality Check simulation. The program is funded completely through grants and donations, which are used to purchase office supplies, lunch for all the students and volunteers, booth rent, postage, and more. Expenses for the 2015 event totaled nearly $11,000. Fassbinder is collecting donations for the event, which is put on without cost to participating students or their families. To help support Reality Check and create responsible citizens of the future, Fassbinder can be reached at 252-2341 or by email at michellefassbinder@claytonridge.k12.ia.us.
“Last year, approximately 350 students attended Reality Check – our alternative education students, regular education students, at-risk students, special needs students, and students who suffer from economic disadvantages,” said Fassbinder. “We are particularly pleased and proud to include all of our seniors in Reality Check.”
