The need for early financial education is evident across North Carolina. 54% of NC residents report living paycheck to paycheck and 59% lack sufficient emergency savings. Furthermore, the average credit card debt for a North Carolina household was $10,672 in the second quarter of 2025, and the state saw the tenth-highest increase in credit card debt nationwide during that period. This widespread financial instability demonstrates a critical need to equip future generations with foundational financial literacy skills.

Extension responded to this critical need by targeting 176 eighth-grade students at Riverbend Middle School with the Real Money Real World financial literacy program to address their readiness for managing real-world financial responsibilities. Staff first trained Riverbend Middle School's social studies teachers, enabling them to incorporate five financial education lessons into their regular classroom instruction. The program's core component was a simulation where students were assigned a career, salary, and family size, challenging them to manage typical monthly expenses. The simulation was supported by 23 dedicated community and business volunteers, creating an authentic and high-impact learning environment for all 176 students.

The program yielded dramatic and measurable increases in financial comprehension. Student surveys showed a huge jump in the understanding of how the level and type of a person's education greatly impacts the type of job they will get and their earning potential. Prior to the simulation, 29 students reported knowing a lot about this connection. Following the simulation, this number soared to 144 students, equipping youth to make informed academic and career choices. Student understanding of the costs associated with caring for a child showed a dramatic shift: Before the program, 134 students reported knowing 'not much' or 'a little' about the financial responsibilities of childcare. Following the simulation, this number plummeted to 24, with 154 students now reporting they knew 'a lot' about the costs of care for a child. This real-world perspective had a profound impact, with one student sharing, "That children aren't as cheap as I thought they were. Looking at child care, clothing, diapers, and other expenses. I now know it wasn't easy for my parents to take care of 5 kids." Finally, the number of youth who reported they now know a lot about the importance of waiting until financially ready before having children rose to 147 youth (84%), showing success in critical thinking about future family planning. This program successfully provided 176 youth with essential financial knowledge, laying a strong foundation against the financial insecurity widespread in our state.

Objective: 4-H Youth Development
County: Catawba
Team Members: Lisa Ortiz, Carson Johnson, Donna Mull