Eleanor, W.Va. – The West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office hosted its first session of a county-wide Get a Life budget simulation this morning (Mar. 17) at the Navy Reserve Center in Eleanor, Putnam County.

During the two day event, West Virginia State Treasurer John Perdue will welcome more than 700 eighth grade students as they participate in his award-winning financial education activity, Get a Life.

“For the past six years individual schools around the state have used this program as a financial learning tool for their students,” said Treasurer Perdue. “Now we are benefiting even more students with the first county-wide effort to conduct this budget simulation.”

Students from all four middle schools in Putnam County will engage in the activity. More than 50 community volunteers, including several mayors and other dignitaries, are expected to participate during each session.

“I am proud of my staff, the staff at Putnam County Schools and the community members who have spent hours organizing this event. All you need to do is watch and listen to these students for a few minutes, and you will realize this learning activity has a lasting impact,” said Perdue.

Get a Life is an interactive simulation designed to promote economic literacy. Students are given a realistic family budget and must visit various business stations and manage an expense ledger. The program teaches both basic math skills and problem-solving techniques.

The activity was developed by Fairmont State University’s GEAR UP program specifically for State Treasurer John Perdue’s NetWorth program. It has been used at schools throughout the state since 2009.

NetWorth is a comprehensive financial education initiative designed to teach personal financial management skills at all grade levels in West Virginia. The program is nationally recognized and has served as a model for other states through the National Association of State Treasurers. It has received an Excellence in Financial Literacy Education Award (EIFLE) from the Institute for Financial Literacy and was selected twice as a regional finalist for the Council of State Governments Innovations Award.

For more information on Get a Life and other educational resources available through the West Virginia State Treasurer’s Office, log onto www.wvtreasury.com.

For more information on this event, email wvtreasury@wvsto.com or call 304.558.5000.