Whitely Community "Reality Store"

Kathie Onieal, along with the help of several other community members and an Honors class at Ball State, will be hosting a “Reality Store.” This event will give participants an opportunity to understand how the world works in regards to money, planning, choices, and priorities by moving them through a series of booths.

Eleven booths representing such things as entertainment, child care, and medical will be set up in two separate “Reality Stores,” one for children and the other for adults. Those participating in the event will first pick a job and then be assigned their salary. Throughout the experience, they will try to budget their lives based on these careers and salaries. This includes real-life concerns such as considering insurance, buying a home, and paying for other essential expenses. Our career fair will allow for children to learn how best to budget their money so that they can understand the importance of values and money management at a young age. It will also help adults considering a change in their lives a lesson in just what it takes to make it through those monthly expenses.