Reality Check program offered by OSU extension office
Reality Check offer reality in being an adult. On October 19, 2021, Arleen James, Texas County OSU Extension offered Reality Check to the high school classes in Hooker. The program is an interactive, hands-on financial educational program with goals to include, giving students a glimpse of their future in a fun and exciting way, to help the students become aware of basic skills in financial planning, goal setting, decision making, and career planning; and to clarify the needs of young people to examine their attitudes about their futures and career expectations. One Hundred and eight five youth participated in the program.
The students receive a worksheet indicating their choice of a career or occupation and a lifestyle status that a 25-year-old may experience.
The program is successful only because of the many volunteers that give their time to man the various booths that represent expenses a 25-year-old may have. Volunteers for the program included: Diane Zimmerman at Clothing, Carol Tucker with groceries which most students stated were too expensive, Chris McFarland, the tag agent, Amber Dietrick at the bank booth with Marisa Torchia also at the bank booth. Josh Henson sold housing while Patsy Fischer provided them with choices for entertainment. Sherri Danklefs was at the furniture booth and got a laugh when one young man said he was going to have to live in a box because he didn't have enough money to get furniture. Debbie Bohlmann was at the chance booth with was where they either lost money or earned money. Mike McReynolds and Tiffany Fox served as the safety officers and were handing out fake tickets for violations that weren't really happening. Jenifer Metcalf was at the Health and grooming booth and several of the students told her they didn't need to get haircuts. Maybe they know how to cut their own hair. Taylor Metcalf and
Saribel Esquivel shared the communications booth. Beau Rapp and Brad James offered insurance which the students were required to purchase for both homes, life medical and cars. Kerri Parker was also a great asset at her booth and said maybe the program was teaching the youth to stay home with their parents. That is certainly not the outcome we were going for, but several stated in their evaluation that maybe they didn't need to get married until after they were 25. Brenda Rowen, Tonya Krotz and Shelby Roche rounded out the list of volunteers. James appreciated all that volunteered to do the program s it only works with adequate help.
Here are some of the comments that the students made regarding their experience during the program: I found out about being an adult: That it is difficult to keep paying things and I noticed how fast you spend your money, it is a challenge and you have much more financial responsibility to take care of your self and maybe even a family. There are more expenses than I thought… some with a higher priority than others. I found out that being an adult takes a lot of responsibility with what you can spend money on. I learned not to have kids at a young age and not to get married too fast. To be successful in life, you must have a good paying job, and be wise with your money and the decisions that follow, and being an adult is hard, stressful, and expensive.
Things they liked the best included: I got to make my own decisions, figure out what was best for me and calculating my payments. Having to see the reality of having to pay bills was cool to see and it might prepare us later in life. I liked the people that helped because they were patient to help us. It helped open my eyes to what I will spend money on and what I will save for.
Lunch was provided for the volunteers and it was appreciated very much. The counselors Mrs. Nunley and Mrs. Cathcart stated they were pleased with the event and would like to have it again next year. James reported that she felt the event went well and she learned some things to make thing go faster next time.
Well-informed, well-educated, consumers have the potential to make better decisions for their families, increasing their economic security and overall well-being. Secure households and families are better able to contribute to vital, thriving communities and foster community economic development. Ad effective and efficient marketplace requires knowledgeable consumer who make informed choices. Financial literacy is important for the individual, family, and community.