'Reality check' teaches teens about budgeting
Mar. 25—Tahlequah High School seniors got a dose of reality March 23, learning what it takes to be an adult — and how much it costs.
The "Reality Check" event was put on by Tahlequah Area Chamber of Commerce to prepare students for what budgeting and living alone can look like once they've flown the nest. This was the third edition for the event.
Students moved in small groups around the Tahlequah Multipurpose Activity Center, stopping for a few minutes at each of the 16 tables, featuring a different typical expense. These included cell service, utilities, food, insurance, healthcare, luxury goods, and other life expenses.
Students were given budgets — $45,000, in one instance — to work with, and details about their family, such as how many kids they had. Community and chamber members ran the booths and advised students on spending their money wisely.
David Lindsey, director of special services for Tahlequah Public Works Authority, ran the utilities booth.
"Many of the teens didn't realize how much things can cost," Lindsey said.
Nathan Reed, CEO and president of TACC, said the program started in 2022.
"After the education committee saw other similar events offered, the school district and TACC wanted to work together to support the students and their education," Reed said.
"Reality Check" was created to help students with financial literacy. Many times, students don't know how to create a budget, what items really cost — like utilities, or specific needs that they may have, Reed said.
"We strived to make the costs as close to actuals as possible and provide real life scenarios," Reed said.
Students took the day before the event in their financial classes, picking their scenarios and calculating taxes to know how much they had left each month for expenses, Reed said.
"They visited each table and picked a level they prefer based on needs and preferences," Reed said.
Students expressed shock about the cost of items and appreciation that they could gain a better understanding of costs and needs, Reed said.
Tahlequah Public Schools Superintendent Tanya Jones said the reality check program is an amazing experience for students.
"It not only connects our students to the local businesses they may use as an adult, but also lets them see the reality of expenses in the real world," Jones said. "It is an eye-opening experience for all of them."
