Harpers Ferry, W.Va. — Harpers Ferry Middle School students are learning what it means to be financially responsible through the annual Get a Life Program, brought to our schools by the West Virginia Treasurer's Office. Several community members and student volunteers came out to implement this program. Students participated in a real-life simulation where they were given a future life scenario that included a family, bills, and surprise costs. Each student was given a unique situation with a set budget and got to travel to various stations in the HFMS gymnasium to purchase homes, vehicles, food, insurance, and more.
Students went through this simulation twice; once with a minimum wage job and then again with a career after graduating from college or a trade school. As the students traveled, some were given the change to "test their luck" where they were given either additional money or an unexpected life cost, such as paying for dental work. After the simulations, students went back to their classrooms where they discussed their successes and stresses. Many students left with a new understanding of the importance of budgeting and finances, and a renewed appreciation for their families!
