Eighth-grader Ivy Mower bought a bird for her three children. Her friend, Lola Jeppeson, already threw a party.

Both girls were participating in Reality Town, an interactive program designed to teach students budgeting, checkbook balancing and career skills.

“I thought it would be boring, but I’m chilling,” Ivy said. “I’m a PR specialist and make $59,000 before taxes. I know how much I need to save for a house and car; this is stuff I’ll have to know and do when I’m older.”

Lola, whose assigned career is a psychologist earning nearly $60,000, was in the insurance line with Ivy.

I also got a bird,” she said. “We know we have responsibilities, but we have to have a little bit of fun.”

The girls and their classmates rotated through dozens of stations, ranging from the bank to personal care and donations. The stations were run by parents, community volunteers and 18 students from Hillcrest High School.

School counselor Nichole Reid explained before participating in Reality Town, students were briefed on the experience.

“We explained about their job and their family situation and how they needed to ensure their income could be calculated for all the required elements of Reality Town,” Reid said. “They had to choose their housing and transportation, for example, within their budgets. They had to meal plan, whether it was buying groceries or eating out; they had to choose between thrift or moderately priced clothing versus designer clothes. They had to plan for childcare — all kinds of adult responsibilities.”

Reid said many students were discovering how to earn extra money to cover their expenses, as their budgets were often tight.

“I’m hearing how they’re problem-solving, getting someone to watch their kids or asking, ‘How do you adults do this every day,’” she said.

Some students brought notes from their parents or guardians saying they’d care for their kids, while others received extra income for dressing professionally, having family volunteer or knowing a second language.

School counselor Julie Sasouda also overheard students discussing their experiences.

“I heard one student say, ‘Three kids is too many because kids are expensive,’” she said. “The jobs are based on their GPAs so they’re making connections on how they’re doing now in school and choices they make now may impact their future, even in eighth grade, it matters.”

Cyprus Credit Union Assistant Branch Manager Heather Barnes enjoys volunteering with Reality Town events at the middle schools.

“They’re learning things aren’t free and how things like childcare are expensive, it starts making them think and realize they need to plan before you graduate,” she said. 

She paused to explain to a student how to invest his pretend money in stocks.

“The information we give them is basic. Three-fourths or more of the students take this seriously and then there is always one who just says, ‘Let’s take all my savings out; I’m going to go gamble it.’” 

Hillcrest ninth-grader Jumana Raheem volunteered at the financial counseling station.

“I’m advising them where they need to go and what to do if they don’t have enough money,” she said. “A lot of them are trying to live with more expensive lifestyles than their means, so I advise them to save it by purchasing less expensive choices, but also, which stations they can go to earn more money.”

Eighth-grader Christian Stout had almost visited every station.

As a historian making $71,700 annually, he’s the sole provider for his spouse and two children. He budgeted for a five-seat Nissan Sentra and a three-bedroom mobile home for his family and pet dog.

“I’m trying to go to everything so I can be the best adult I can be in the future by getting the full range of experiences now,” he said. “I learned groceries are extremely expensive. Our house payment isn’t that bad, and I need to check my budget, so my car payments are covered within it. It’s doable; I just need to plan.” λ