"Real World Simulation" Gives RHS Students a Glimpse at the Future

Nearly 100 Romeoville High School students received an up-close-and-personal look at life after high school and college during the past seven days thanks to Abri Credit Union’s “Real World Simulation.”

The students were each assigned a career, a monthly salary, and a bankroll (minus income taxes and $20 for a savings account) and were asked to take a stroll through various life needs to see how their tastes fit with their financial needs.

“We gave each student a little snapshot into what their lives will be like when they get older,” said RHS teacher Laura Bargas.

“You’re 25 years old and living on your own,” added Susan Grask, financial educator for Abri Credit Union, the company that organized the event. “These are decisions you’ll have to think about.”

Initial decisions included where to live (rent an apartment, or buy either a small or large home) and what type of car to own (used car, new compact, new SUV or new sports car). Each decision had some sort of financial decision on a student’s overall monthly bankroll.

Other decisions included what type of clothing to buy (low cost retailers like Walmart, medium cost retailers like Kohls or Old Navy or high cost retailers like Abercrombie & Fitch); utilities (for an apartment or house, a cell phone and/or internet/upgraded cable); insurance (auto and home); food (low cost, medium cost or high cost); and fun (all sorts of items ranging from a movie to a mini-vacation.)

“If some of you run out of money, you need to keep going,” RHS teacher Mary Studebaker told students. “That’s life.”

At the end of their adventure, students compared how they fared financially based on the decisions they made.