Do you have “Dollars and Sense?” Frakes eighth graders certainly do. The eighth graders have participated in the 4-H Dollars & Sense program for the last three years, and this year, they led the program for the fifth- through seventh-graders.

The 4-H Dollars & Sense program is a financial literacy experiential learning program. The students get $100 in allowance and then spend their money in stores or booths, with the goal of having some money left over after they’ve visited all of the booths. They get a visit from Uncle Sam during the program and pay taxes. 4-H Agent Brandy Calvert talks to the youth about their wants versus their needs, the benefits of tax dollars and spending responsibly.

“The 8th graders really stepped up this year and did a great job. This group shows incredible leadership. For the other youth, this is a lesson in financial literacy, but for our 8th graders, it’s service-learning, leadership, and a financial literacy lesson,” said 4-H Agent Brandy Calvert.

4-H Dollars & Sense is geared toward middle schoolers. For Dollars & Sense in your school, contact 4-H Agent Brandy Calvert at 606-337-2376.

Brandy Calvert is the Bell County extension agent for 4-H/youth development. Educational programs of the Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, religion, disability or national origin.