T.C. Roberson High School juniors and seniors recently got a hands-on lesson in what it truly means to manage life, money, and everything in between. Through the Reality of Money event - hosted by State Employees Credit Union (SECU) - students stepped into the shoes of adults for a day, complete with careers, incomes, monthly expenses, and even the occasional curveball life can throw.
When students arrived, they were assigned a profession and salary. Some found themselves “married,” others were suddenly “parents,” and many carried the weight of adult responsibilities for the first time. With their new identities in hand, they moved from station to station - transportation, housing, childcare, utilities, entertainment, groceries, and more - making real-world decisions about how to spend their pretend money.
At each stop, students selected a random scenario card that dictated what happened next. Maybe their car broke down, maybe they earned a bonus, or maybe that weekend beach trip wasn’t in the budget after all. Those unexpected twists forced them to adjust their spending and rethink what they thought adulthood would be like.
SECU employees, who led each station and coached students through decisions, hope the lessons stick. Their goal is simple: equip young adults with confidence in budgeting and money management before they graduate.
“This event is meant to empower students,” organizers shared. “We want them to see that with the right skills they can take control of their finances and their future.”
For T.C. future graduates, the Reality of Money event offered more than pretend dollars - it delivered a real-world glimpse into financial responsibility and the tools to thrive as independent adults.
