Challis junior and senior high school students got a peek at adulthood last week during a “Reality Town” session.
CHS counselor Ang Sugden arranged for the life-lesson experience so youths could gain insight about how much it costs to live as an adult.
Students in grades 6-11 were issued a set of criteria that outlined their pretend family, employment situations and income. No job paid less than $2,000 per month in gross wages, Sugden said, and the highest-earners had gross incomes of $8,000 per month. Some had spouses who also worked, some had children, some chose to have pets.
They received sample paychecks that showed how much was deducted for taxes. From there the youths had to pick a place to live. They had to pay property taxes. They had to purchase an auto, pay for gas, maintenance and to insure their vehicle. If they had fake children, they had to arrange and pay for child care or babysitting as needed, and fees for sports or lessons for the kids. Likewise if they got a pet, they had to pay for its varied expenses.
Three grocery shopping options were available — thrifty, moderate and upper — with monthly costs for a family of three ranging from $420 to $830. The thrifty menu was pretty simple — mac and cheese, spaghetti, oatmeal, toast, Jell-O. The upper menu allowed for frozen waffles, cheese, steak and fresh seafood.
They had to decide the number of times per month they’d dine out or if they’d opt for a meal delivery service.
They were required to purchase appropriate clothing for the job they’d been assigned, and to buy clothes for their kids. They were required to purchase at least basic telephone service and were given options for internet and TV or movie viewing.
Each student was required to make a minimum of $10 per month in donations, but they could choose the type of organization they donated to.
Personal care expenses were part of the program, ranging from basic expenses for things like shampoo, toothpaste and haircuts to higher-priced options such as hiring a personal trainer and getting full manicures.
They had to obtain health and dental insurance, pay for medical visits, pay for utilities, cover the costs of home or auto repairs and maintenance. They were encouraged to save some money for the future with investments or a retirement plan. Getting a second job to earn more money was an option.
Each student received a booklet that contained a check register. They entered their paycheck amount and then began deducting each expense as they roamed through the library visiting the tables where they bought a house, an auto, paid for insurance or taxes, purchased a phone or paid for home repairs or child care.
More than one student was overheard saying they’d spent all but $4 of their monthly income and they hadn’t completed the mandatory purchases. They had to re-evaluate some of their choices at that time and figure out how to come up with the needed money. Most of those ended up scaling back on their home choice where they could save the most money.
“It’s surprising,” freshman Jaden Shanafelt said of the costs and how fast the money disappeared.
“The numbers are definitely surprising,” freshman Raegan Woolley said. “I won’t be asking my dad for as much money.” Woolley admitted she’d expected the session to be boring, “but it’s actually kind of fun.”
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