VALPARAISO | First stop, taxes.

In that sense, Envision the Future, an economic and career reality check that Porter County eighth-graders took part in Thursday, was just like life.

After that, the multistation simulation at the Porter County Expo Center sometimes demonstrated the old 1920s song -- the rich get rich and the poor get children.

"I'm driving a Lexus," said Steven Rea, a Washington Township Middle schooler. "I'm an eye doctor and I have enough to pay for it."

Rea was one of the lucky ones. Even though an unexpected life event -- a car accident in his case -- brought bills of $100,000, he had insurance that covered it completely.

But his classmate Amar Sureta, hoping to be a chef, went bankrupt.

"I think I'll get a second job," he said, heading to the employment advice table.

Keri Marrs Barron, one of hundreds of volunteer staffers recruited by local chambers of commerce, told him that a second, half-time job would bring an extra $48 a month in discretionary income. Sureta decided to work an extra 30 hours, to give him $423 a month. Marrs Barron said a workload like that would cost more in child-care and suggested he aim toward owning his own business. "Start saving now," she said.

"I think it's eye opening," Marrs Barron said of the day. "(Teenagers) don't realize how much those things cost."

"At first I thought it was going to be stupid and pointless, but it actually was helpful," said Emily O'Leary of Hebron Middle School. "It helps you understand what your parents and family go through."

Students chose careers they have an interest in, made utilities, loan and other payments, then picked living, transport and lifestyle options they could afford.

"I learned that you have to have a plan," said Jacque Hilbrich from Benjamin Franklin Middle. "I should probably wait to have a kid 'til I'm out of school. I didn't realize that kids cost so much."

Her classmate Jenna Janesheski learned that needs have to come before wants. "You can't always buy what you want," she said.

Matt Trout simply went with less costly choices.

"If you go a little cheaper, you have a little extra money."

Another Franklin student, Anna Lawson cleared, $2,000 a month on her pilot's salary, and then inherited $450,000. Her classmate Audrey Goldsmith, a paralegal with $69 left over each month after necessities, said, "I probably should have gotten a smaller house."

"Dude," said Lawson, "I'll split my inheritance with you."