Reality Town

Did you ever wish that you had been taught the importance of financial responsibility before you were an adult?

Reality Town gives students a glimpse into the world of adult financial responsibilities

Reality Town is a “Real Life” simulation where students:  Choose a job according to their GPA  Receive an average monthly salary for the job  Receive a family scenario with spouse, children, and life circumstances (assigned randomly)  Buy a home, pay for transportation, utilities, groceries, medical and dental bills, and other expenses

Students have been preparing for Reality Town at school:  Students have learned how to fill out a job application  Students have learned how to write a resume  Students have learned how to write a check and balance a check book  Students have learned about gross and net income

Booths at Reality Town:  Housing  Property Taxes  Utilities  Home Improvement  Transportation  Car Insurance  Groceries  Clothing  Child Care  Entertainment  Clothing  Utilities  Communication  Dental Office  Medical Office  Health Insurance  Health and Grooming  Bank  Donations  Financial Counseling  Second Jobs

Students must attend all booths except the Financial Counseling Booth and the Supplemental Income Booth. These are optional and are there to assist students who need financial counseling or help

The object for the students is to: 1. Visit all of the booths, make choices, and pay the expenses at each booth 2. Have a positive check balance at the end of the experience

Volunteer Instructions:  Read and review the instructions on your card- Please pay attention to the details and understand exactly what you are to do  If you have questions, please ask  Do a practice run at your booth before the students come in

After the student writes out a check at your booth YOU SHOULD DO THE SUBTRACTION (on the calculator) and write the balance in the student’s check register- (This will speed up the process and will insure accuracy)

Note: The student will write the check using his/her checkbook You will use the check register in the middle of the student’s handbook to record the transaction

Volunteer procedure:  Find the Job, Family and Life Scenario for each student in the front of the handbook. The spouse and child information have been randomly assigned. Job is according to student’s choice and is linked to GPA– You need to check this scenario because it pertains to your booth  After the student has paid a check for choices he/she has made at your booth, calculate and mark the student’s check register in the middle of the handbook  Initial the back of the book after the student has finished at your booth so student knows which booths he/she has attended

The Student Handbook contains information about each booth so that the student may look over the choices and make decisions while standing in line

Transportation and Housing Booths typically have the longest lines. Please keep things moving at these booths.

If your booth is not busy, and you see that another booth needs help, please volunteer at that booth until the “student rush” is over.

Remember that some Special Needs Students or English as a Foreign Language students may be coming through your booth Please be patient and helpful

Thank you for volunteering! You are vital to the success of Reality Town! HAVE FUN!

Questions?