Don't spend more than you have.

A good lesson for people of all ages, but on Wednesday morning, Lehighton auctioneer Dean Arner was giving that bit of financial advice to a group of fourth-grade students at Shull-David Elementary School.The students were busy counting fake money earned throughout the year as part of a good-behavior program, which rewards them for positive actions.For the second straight year, Arner held an auction at the school and students could cash in their dollars for items donated by teachers and Shull-David's parent teacher organization."The kids really get into it and learn a lot about behavior and responsibility through the whole process," said Colleen Hoppes, the fourth-grade teacher who brought in Arner for the first auction last year.Auction items included board games, toys, candy and even some home décor that could be a great Christmas gift.Students said they earn money by making the principal's list, being named student of the month, completing homework, getting good grades, doing the morning announcements, assisting outside the classroom and being one of the school's postal workers.According to Hoppes, students have an average of $60 by this point in the year, but some have over $100 and a few even owe future earnings."We do have fines and students have to pay money back if they have incomplete homework or have trouble at recess, that kind of thing," Hoppes said.Arner said he starts the bidding low to give everyone a chance."Usually the first couple items go really high because everyone likes to spend their money," Arner said."I try to talk to them about saving up for something you really want. It's not just about rewarding them for good behavior, it's a great lesson on spending and saving."Students took the activity seriously. When given the opportunity to scan the items before the auction, several of them used their iPad to take pictures for further inspection.Some items were clearly more popular than others on Wednesday.For example, an extra large pack of Twizzlers went for $32 and a giant size Wonka Pixy Stix went for $70.A Chia Willie Duck Dynasty garden planter was the first item auctioned. Layla Onetta had the successful $17 bid."Make sure you water it every day," Arner said, possibly speaking from experience.After the auction, Arner, who has been in the business for over 25 years, spent time taking questions from the students about auctioneering."They have a lot of good questions," he said."You can tell some of them go to auctions with their parents and pay attention."Hoppes said students also have a chance to spend any money they have left at a good behavior store set up in the school."I think the program and the auction are having a positive impact on behavior," she said.