MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS RECEIVE ‘DOSE OF REALITY’

Spencer Middle School students were “brought to reality” on April 25 as they took part in the annual Marshfield Area Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MACCI) Central Wisconsin Eighth Grade Reality Store. Students were placed into “real life” scenarios in hopes of realizing how quickly expenses can add up and to start thinking about their futures.

The process starts with students being assigned a random career, where they learn about their incomes, marital status, family dynamics, and benefit packages. All financial information is gathered by MACCI and is based on actual central Wisconsin data. Using this information, students create a monthly budget by learning how to calculate their net monthly income from a gross salary.

The next step in their journey is to visit the store and discover some of the financial ups and downs a household faces. The store, usually set up in a local gymnasium, is staffed with area business volunteers representing their fields of expertise. These amazing volunteers help the students navigate their life choices. Students start by finding adequate housing, furnishing their new living arrangements, buying groceries, arranging phone services, securing adequate transportation, paying taxes, planning for retirement, ensuring they have healthcare and even finding daycare if applicable. It is an overwhelming experience for many, but the knowledge gained is incredible.

It is not just about finances; it also helps build their communication skills. Students are taught how to present themselves in a professional manner, including how to dress respectfully and what constitutes a good handshake with eye contact — tools for their future. For most students, this experience is an invaluable piece in putting the puzzle of their future together.