OSU Extension program teaches life lessons

Coshocton High School guidance counselor Darcy Nelson is pictured going over a credit card lesson with sophomore Tiffanie Davis during the OSU Extension Real Money. Real World simulation held on Oct. 12 in the school’s gym. The Real Money. Real World program is being presented in all county school districts by Phil Goerig, 4-H program assistant.

COSHOCTON – The OSU Extension Real Money. Real World. program left Nequisha Hunt feeling a little stressed.

“It was stressful because of the prices of everything,” said the Coshocton High School sophomore.

She and her fellow classmates went through the simulation part of the program on Oct. 12. They each pretended they were 27-year-olds, working full time, with a spouse who worked part time and went to school. They were also randomly assigned a certain number of children. Then they went around different stations set up in the school’s gym to learn how education levels, career choices and lifestyle choices can impact the amount of money you have.

“The real world simulation gives them a look at everything from transportation to childcare and different choices they will have to make,” said Phil Goerig, 4-H program assistant. “They are all sophomores so they aren’t that far from the real world and having to make career choices and trying to figure out if there is a demand for what you want to do and if you will need student loans to get there.”

Goerig is presenting the program to students in all the county school districts and said there are three parts to it.

“The first is prep work in the classroom where we talk about things like gross income versus net income and checking and savings,” he said. “The second part is the simulation and then we have an evaluation where they discuss what they learned. This is my third year doing this in Coshocton and in the past some of the biggest surprises for the kids have been the cost of child care and student loans. They hear about these things but during the simulation they actually get to see the impact of the cost.”

Lydia Walker agreed with Hunt about the simulation being stressful, but they also said it was helpful.

“It helps you learn stuff you need to know,” Walker said.

Tiffanie Davis also found the simulation to be eye opening.

“Having a child is very expensive,” she said.

Goerig said they use national averages to show the students what housing, rent, utilities and insurances cost.

“I’ve done this at all three schools before,” said Janet Aronhalt, one of the volunteers who helped with the simulation. “It’s a good way to educate the kids about all the things their parents pay for that they don’t realize. I’m glad Phil does this and hope he can keep it up.”

The simulation also makes the students figure clothing, food and entertainment into their budgets along with credit card bills. Plus one of the tables had the theme chance and introduced them to the little surprises in life like having to get new tires.

“This is an OSU Extension signature program and the goal really is to increase kids’ awareness and increase their money management skills,” Goerig said.

Sophomore Emily White said the program was very good and helped her realize how much things cost.

“You get to see what things are actually going to cost in the real world when you don’t have your parents supporting you,” she said.

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