Erin Stallings, Albemarle EMC's manager of corporate services, explains grocery-shopping budget options to Perquimans County High School students. Sponsored by the State Employees Credit Union, the Reality of Money event enabled students to make simulated real world budget decisions that included expenses for childcare, transportation, housing, groceries and several other categories. Students were randomly assigned statuses such as married, single, children or no children, making their ability to stay within the limits of their income easier or harder.