Ohio State University Extension: Real Money. Real World.
Each year, America’s high schools graduate thousands of young adults who are unprepared in matters of employment and financial decisions.
- Ohio State University Extension professionals developed the Real Money, Real World curriculum that simulates real-life experiences to help make youth aware of the money management skills they need.
- The curriculum focuses on making students aware of the correlation between educational attainments and earning power.
- Real Money, Real World programs are designed to be a partnership of the county Extension Office, the school, and the business community.
- An active, hands-on experience, it gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults.
The Lessons
Real Money, Real World is an active, hands-on experience that gives young people the opportunity to make lifestyle and budget choices similar to those they will make as adults. The curriculum is comprised of six lessons including:
1. How Occupation Affects Income;
2. Deductions-What You See is Not What You Get;
3. How to Use Checking and Savings Accounts;
4. Making Choices- Preparing for the Simulation;
5. Real Money, Real World Simulation; and
6. What Did You Learn?
Throughout the duration of the program, students assume the role of a 25-year-old adult who is the sole income provider for a family. They receive an occupation, monthly salary, and the number of children they are raising. Students learn to subtract savings, taxes, and health insurance amounts from their income. The amount of money left over is what they have to spend during the simulation activity. The simulation involves community volunteers who represent actual businesses in the community; these volunteers set up and staff booths representing real-life businesses. By visiting the appropriate booths, students spend their salaries on items typically found in a monthly budget including housing, utilities, groceries, insurance, childcare, and transportation. Throughout the activity, students keep track of their finances and attempt to complete the simulation with a positive balance. During the post-simulation lesson, students reflect on their experience and what they learned by completing a self-assessment.
Signature Program Leaders
Curriculum and Implementation:
Nancy Recker, FCS Specialist
recker.22@cfaes.osu.edu
phone: 419-231-6085
Beth Bridgeman, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development OSU Extension, Greene County bridgeman.7@osu.edu
phone: 937-372-9971
Evaluation Data Entry
Nancy Recker, Extension Education & Research Area, Top of Ohio,
recker.22@osu.edu
phone: 419-222-9946,
Educator Resource Team
(OSU Extension Educators indicating that they would be willing to serve as a resource person(s) to counties/schools/organizations wishing to utilize Real Money, Real World)
- Rhonda Williams, Darke County, 937-548-5215, williams.418@osu.edu
- Demetria Woods, Miami County, 937-440-3945, woods.372@osu.edu
Counties Currently Offering RMRW (Updated 3/6/2009)
If your county isn’t listed, please call to inquire. Click here for contact information.
2009 Curriculum Revision
- The 2009 curriculum incorporates suggestions over the past year. Most changes are minor, but some are rather significant. Please use the most recent version of the curriculum. Click here for a summary of the changes.
- Quick link to revised 2009 Participant Self Assessment.
- RMRW PowerPoint (8mb)
Note: Extension personnel can edit for local use by opening with the password. (If you forgot it, e-mail a program leader.) Other PC users can access in Read-only format. It will not open for MAC users.
Purchasing
Ohio residents can purchase the 441GPM Real Money, Real World cd (curriculum) from local county Extension offices for $13.50. The curriculum is designed to be conducted in partnership with Extension, schools, and county volunteers.
Order branded booth signage today!
Branded booth signage makes an impact and makes your simulations memorable for everyone involved.
DVD
To order a DVD of the video above, contact Keira McGlone.
OSU Extension Educator Tools
These additional supports are available for OSU Extension Educators.
- Masthead graphics for marketing
- Evaluation data entry form and instructions
Click here and scroll to Password Protected Information. If you forgot the password, contact Nancy Hudson (hudson.2@osu.edu), Beth Bridgeman (bridgeman.7@osu.edu), or Nancy Recker (recker.22@osu.edu) -- or the FCS Educator in your office.
Documented Impact Resources
Real Money, Real World 2009 Follow-up Study - Executive Summary (pdf) (07.16.09)
Real Money, Real World Evaluation - Executive Summary (pdf) (04.04.2008)
Real Money, Real World Evaluation -Final Report (pdf) (04.04.2008)
Review of Literature in support of Real Money, Real World Evaluation (pdf) (05.23.08)
Value Added Resources
-
Make College Happen handouts for grades 4-6; grades 7-8. grades 9-10.
Click on the titles on right side bar of the web page -
NEFE High School Financial Planning Program curriculum.
FREE Instructor Manual, CD, and Student Guides.
Also contact Nancy Hudson.