BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) — Students got a taste of real-world financial responsibilities at West High School Tuesday morning.

Based on a theoretical salary, West High School seniors scanned booths for what worked for them financially based on an app. Aside from the salary, the app provides them with a spouse and obligations, like children and debt, to give each student a real look at life and the challenges that come with living on a budget.

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“We really want to show them what a want versus a need is, how important it is to stay within a budget, and not to run out and get a whole bunch of credit cards, so we’re really trying to prepare them for the future,” said Valley Strong Credit Union’s Brie Lancaster.

For some, it worked like a charm.

“What do you need versus what do you really want and what’s best for your budget because you don’t need the top-of-the-line stuff you need what’s going to work,” said senior Jessie-Marie Brown.

Others fell straight into debt, chasing luxury items.

“Well, I have to have the cool car. Yes, ma’am I like it. It’s status you know,” said senior Sonny Rossetto.

But learned very quickly those decisions won’t work in the real world.

“I learned that money goes pretty fast, it doesn’t last forever,” said Rossetto.

Others found a way to balance, taking care of their needs and getting a few wants.

“I was prioritizing what I really needed it’s always been like that for me. I feel like when it comes to having a certain amount of money you should never spend more than what you have just because it looks nice,” said senior Marvin Towns Jr.

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Then students were surprised by Valley Strong’s financial literacy mascot “Cash-squash.”

“Cash-squash” gave students $250 cash coupons to start their own accounts, and now they have a chance to put what they learned to the test.

“That’s a lot of money to a teenager, so for us to be able to deposit that for them, it gives them an idea of how they can start to manage money,” said Valley Strong Credit Union’s Chris Soden.

The next bite of reality will take place at Stockdale High School in November.

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