South Harrison Middle School 8th graders will get a hands-on lesson in personal finance on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, thanks to the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office. From 8 a.m. to 10 a.m., students will participate in the Get a Life simulation, a program designed to teach real-world money management skills.
During the event, each student will be assigned a job, income, and a life scenario. For example, they might play the role of someone married with two children or single and caring for an elderly parent. In the first round, students will navigate life on a minimum-wage income, managing essential expenses like housing, transportation, utilities, groceries, gas, and insurance.
In the second round, students will experience life with a higher income earned through higher education, such as a college degree, a community college certificate, or an industry-specific certification. This exercise highlights the significant difference in living standards between minimum-wage jobs and careers that require specialized skills or education. The activity inspires students to think about their future education and career paths.
Local businesses are also pitching in to make the event a success. Volunteers from the Harrison County Chamber of Commerce and the WVU Extension Service will act as vendors, selling students the goods and services they need—or want—to get through the simulation.
This engaging program offers students an eye-opening experience, teaching them how their choices about education and careers can impact their financial futures.