In honor of Financial Literacy Month, students across Crenshaw County took part in a hands-on financial literacy activity to learn more about budgeting and financial skills. 

The program, Your Money, Your Life, was held at all three Crenshaw County public high schools and partnered schools with Crenshaw County 4-H for a series of events aimed to teach seniors about budgeting using real-world examples and everyday issues. 

“‘Your Money, Your Life’ with 4-H is the perfect event for seniors to engage in hands-on learning and gain essential budgeting skills before graduation,” said Haley Kilcrease, the Crenshaw County Schools College and Career Coach. “It’s also a great opportunity to connect local businesses and industries with their future customers and workforce in a fun, impactful way.” 

During the activity, participants are given a life scenario — a job, monthly income and household size — determining whether they are single, married or have children.  

From there, the students make choices on how to spend their income at different stations representing typical monthly expenses like food, transportation or utilities. 

Sometimes, the program also included unexpected life events which could include surprising expenses or income. 

“It’s meant to be eye-opening and fun, but also a little stressful — just like managing money in real life,” Kilcrease said. “The goal [is to] stay within budget, make smart decisions, and understand the trade-offs between needs and wants.” 

Kilcrease said that the program helped students gain financial awareness of the actual price of different necessities and helps prepare students for when they will handle their own finances. 

Additionally, Kilcrease said the program helped begin conversations on finances and economic habits that could extend past financial literacy month. 

“It was truly an honor to be part of the Your Money, Your Life program,” said Mike Flint, owner of Flints Smokehouse and one of the station vendor volunteers at Highland Home School. “Helping prepare the next generation with real-world skills is one of the best ways we can invest in their future, and I’m proud to have played even a small role in shaping tomorrow’s leaders.”