On Thursday, October 24, 2024, Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) students enrolled in high school Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) classes had the opportunity to participate in the Reality Store, an immersive simulation aimed at developing essential money management and decision-making skills. Held at the Culpeper Technical Education Center, this semester’s Reality Store engaged 323 students from Culpeper County High School and Eastern View High School, with support from 27 community volunteers.
The Reality Store experience begins in the classroom, where students are assigned hypothetical jobs, incomes, and family situations. Armed with this information, students then face real-world financial decisions at various interactive stations staffed by school and community volunteers. Each station covers a different aspect of adult financial life, from housing and utilities to personal needs such as clothing, cell phones, and entertainment. To navigate these challenges, students must make choices within a budget, balancing their income with essential and discretionary expenses. If financial hardship arises, students can explore supplemental income options or consider credit card usage.
An additional challenge, the “wheel of life,” adds an element of unpredictability, with spins that can bring unexpected expenses or financial relief.
“The reality store was a great event, being able to watch the students learn how to manage money while balancing a set budget. This is such an important skill in life to have,” said volunteer Morgan Clark, an associate with Yount, Hyde & Barbour. "It was amazing to watch the students quickly learn how much necessities can cost and how it quickly decreased their bank accounts.”
For students, the simulation provided a unique learning experience and plenty of eye-opening moments. Amori Patterson, a student participant, expressed gratitude for the event. "My overall thoughts on this experience are great—I loved it! The math wasn’t hard to calculate, and the teachers were very helpful. I would only want to change one thing, and that was my career. I’d like to thank everyone who pitched in."
Several students were surprised by the costs of daily life, with Alicia Mack noting, “I couldn’t live where I wanted because I didn’t make enough.” Similarly, Lily Stiffler learned a valuable lesson about budgeting for childcare. “Childcare was super expensive for two kids,” she said. “I would’ve bought a cheaper house to begin with.”
Reflecting on her experience, Genesis Ruano remarked, “My experience was pretty nice—I got to experience what adulthood feels like. I learned that life is hard and I need to rethink my decisions all the time. I feel like I could have saved some money in certain areas.”
CCPS conducts the Reality Store each semester, offering students a unique, hands-on way to learn financial literacy skills. Through this interactive event, students gain a better understanding of life’s financial responsibilities, which prepares them for successful, independent futures. CTE Director Randi Richards-Lutz said, "The CCPS Reality Store is always a great experience as students engage in balancing their income and expenses. Watching them work through the exercise, I saw both happy and stressed faces as they navigated real-life financial scenarios. This simulation is an incredibly valuable glimpse into their future, and we’re grateful to our teachers and community members for making this biannual event possible."