On Tuesday, March 18, 2025, Culpeper County Public Schools (CCPS) students enrolled in second semester high school Economics and Personal Finance (EPF) classes participated in the Reality Store—an immersive simulation designed to teach essential money management and decision-making skills.
Held at the Culpeper Technical Education Center, this semester’s Reality Store welcomed 289 students from Culpeper County High School and Eastern View High School, supported by 29 community volunteers.
The Reality Store experience begins in the classroom, where students are assigned hypothetical careers, salaries, and family scenarios. Equipped with this information, students move through a series of interactive stations representing real-life expenses, from housing and utilities to groceries, transportation, childcare, insurance, and entertainment. At each stop, students must make choices that align with their budget, learning to balance needs and wants while staying financially afloat.
To mirror life’s unpredictability, students also spin the “wheel of life,” which can introduce surprise expenses, or the occasional windfall, requiring them to adjust their financial plans accordingly. For those who encounter challenges, options like credit cards or supplemental jobs are available to help them make ends meet.
“Through this experience, our students gained insights into budgeting, financial decision-making, and real-world responsibilities,” said Randi Richards-Lutz, Director of Career and Technical Education. “The lessons they learned today will serve as a strong foundation for their future financial well-being.”
CCPS hosts the Reality Store each semester to provide students with a unique, hands-on opportunity to build financial literacy. By simulating the responsibilities of adulthood in a safe, educational environment, the program helps prepare students for life beyond high school and encourages thoughtful financial planning for the future.
