Area students come face-to-face with ‘reality’

Students in eighth and 10th grade at Fulton Independent and Fulton County Schools received a “Reality” check March 25 in the FIS gymnasium, as the annual Reality Store was held, featuring numerous booths displayed which provided real life scenarios involving securing and paying for housing, childcare, establishing bank accounts, paying taxes, buying insurance, furniture, establishing a means of transportation and providing food and clothing for family members.

While each student was “supplied” the same income, $28,000, variables for their scenario also included the level of education received.

Students received information supplying them with their established income, as well as their family size, including no children, one child or two children. Each student then visited each booth, and watched their income fluctuate as basic necessities of life were subtracted from their resources.

The Reality Store is an annual collaborative effort of the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Family Ties Resource Center, The Family Connection Resource Center, Fulton County 4-H Council, Fulton Independent and Fulton County Schools, as well as a number of local business and community leaders who volunteer.

Goals for the program are to provide students with a level of understanding for budgeting, making wise financial choices, the impact of credit card debt, student loan debt, the link between career choices and lifestyle, cost of maintaining a household and saving for the future.