Don’t have kids. Life is hard. Marry rich. The IRS is tough. Find a better paying job. These are some of the remarks of 8th graders in Nashville yesterday, after they completed Reality Day at the Nashville Community Center, sponsored by the Nashville Chamber of Commerce. The 3 grade schools in Nashville had their 8th graders participate in this exercise, which was an eye-opening experience for many of the 61 students that went through. Chamber Director Doris Povolish talked about the process, which started last week, as she took forms to the schools to have the students fill out about what job they wanted, being married, having kids, and things like that. They she took the forms and figured out what their monthly salary would be, as well as what the IRS would get. Yesterday, each student got their paycheck and then paid the IRS. Then they went around and decided what kind of home they wanted, clothing, insurance, cars, food and other things on what it might cost to have a home, be that renting or owning. The goal is to get the students to understand what it is like to survive on their own in the world after they graduate high school or college and begin their profession. Some students had high paying jobs and were able to have some money left over after paying taxes, rent or mortgage, food, utilities, insurance, clothing, entertainment and child care, along with buying a vehicle for transportation. Some students didn’t make it through every stop before running out of money, so they had to go back and downsize on a home or vehicle, as well as cutting back on eating out or other entertainment. Some realized they weren’t going to make it working part-time either. The final stop of the day for the students was the Wheel of Fortune or Doom. This presented the surprise we all experience every month. Some got money for one reason or another, while others got a surprise expense. For many students, this was their first time to use a checkbook as well. Overall, the remarks showed that they will need to watch what they spend their money on. Volunteers from the Chamber’s membership worked the booths the students visited.