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
Nancy Hudson, FCS Specialist, Family Finances
hudson.2@osu.edu
phone: 330-263-3799
Beth Bridgeman, Extension Educator, 4-H Youth Development OSU Extension, Greene County bridgeman.7@osu.edu
phone: 937-372-9971
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)
- Nancy Recker, Extension Education & Research Area, Top of Ohio,
419-222-9946, recker.22@osu.edu- 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.
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.
Download and complete the order form.
Submit your order one of three ways:
- Fax a hard copy of the form and a 100W
- Email the scanned form and with a scanned 100W
- Mail the order form with a check
Submit all orders to:
Communications and Technology
216 Kottman Hall, 2021 Coffey Road
Columbus, OH 43210-1044
Fax: 614.292.2270
Direct all orders and questions to the attention of Keira McGlone (email: mcglone.39@osu.edu).
Key Resources
Real Money, Real World Evaluation - Executive Summary (pdf) (04.04.2008)
Real Money, Real World Evaluation -Final Report (pdf) (04.04.2008)
Real Money, Real World Evaluation (pdf) (05.23.08)
OSU Extension Educator Tools
These additional supports are available for OSU Extension Educators.
- RMRW power point
- 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.