Mercer County eighth-grade students recently got a hands-on look at what happens to a paycheck once housing, transportation, insurance, childcare and other real-world expenses enter the picture.

Mercer County OSU Extension Educator Beth Guggenbiller joined WCSM's Spectrum to discuss the recent Real Money. Real World. financial literacy program, along with the 2026 Mercer County Fair and preparations already underway for the next 4-H year.

Real Money. Real World. is an Ohio State University program that was presented locally in partnership with the Grand Lake Regional Educational Service Center.

Before arriving at the Mercer County Fairgrounds, students worked through classroom lessons and selected a career and salary. After taxes and other deductions were removed, they arrived at the simulation knowing how much money they had available each month.

Then real life started.

Students were assigned different family situations, including spouses and children, before moving through stations where they had to make decisions involving transportation, insurance, housing, clothing, childcare and other expenses.

Guggenbiller said students quickly discovered how fast their money could disappear, particularly when children and childcare were added to the equation.

Local professionals helped make the simulation more realistic. Someone who actually works in insurance could discuss insurance costs with students, for example, while other volunteers brought experience from their own industries.

Approximately 150 volunteers participated in the event.

Following the financial literacy simulation, students moved into the Grand Event Center for the DREAM BIG Career Showcase. Local businesses and organizations brought large equipment and other tools used in their professions, allowing students to explore possible careers in a hands-on setting.

Guggenbiller said one of the program's biggest successes came after students returned home.

Several parents contacted her to say their children had begun asking questions about household expenses and how much their own families pay for different necessities.

She said the goal is not necessarily to convince students they must pursue the highest-paying career, but to help them understand the financial decisions adults make and how career choices, income and lifestyle are connected.

Guggenbiller said organizers were pleased with the first event and plan to continue building the program next year.

During Spectrum, Guggenbiller also discussed the 2026 Mercer County Fair and encouraged families interested in joining 4-H in 2027 to begin exploring clubs and projects now.

The Mercer County 4-H enrollment deadline is March 1.

Families can learn more through the Mercer County 4-H Facebook page or at mercer.osu.edu.