Making the Most of the Budget Exercise

Chapter 4 of Career Choices

The BudgetOThe first half of Chapter 4 (pp.

74-96)OAn expanded version is

available in the optional Lifestyle Math workbook

O“Money talks” and this is the point at which the attitudinal shift happens for many students

The PremiseOStudents are asked to

outline a budget for the lifestyle they envision for themselves at a defined point in the future

OFor secondary students – project to age 29

Method to the Money Madness

O Idealized budgeting process – starts with what they want

O Fear not, for reality will rear its startling head before too longO Budget figures provide a quantitative

checkpoint when students are asked to determine how big a commitment they are willing to make to education and/or training

Your New Best FriendLocate your

Instructor’s Guide,

then hold it close & never

let it go.

Review Section 4breaks down each chapter,

activity by activity, for a walk-thru of the entire

Career Choices process.

Allow Ample TimeIt may take longer than you expect to get through the budget exercise, especially the first time through.

Gather Your ResourcesOChecklist

O Instructor’s Guide, p. 4/52OOpportunities for guest speakers

O Instructor’s Guide, pp. 11/21-11/22OIdeas shared by other instructors

O Throughout the Instructor’s GuideOCareerChoices.com

O Instructor’s Guide, p. 4/51

Model the ProcessReview the entire budget as a class first and complete a budget by consensus.

Instructor’s Guide, p. 4/48

Let the Dreams BeginOThe process needs to be personalOGive students the latitude to

include [insert insanely expensive luxury item here] in their budgets

ORemember, they will eventually reconcile budget and education or training needed

Expanded BudgetSame process

More depthMore math

practice

Instructor’s Guide, pp. 4/49-

4/50

Reinforcing Rigor

“This class has helped me in realizing that school is actually important. The section that helped me the most is the budget one. At first I was like, ‘It’s okay I can pay whatever.’ Then when we add the totals I was like ‘Dang! This is going to cost a lot.’ That’s when I noticed that school is really important.”

- Juan, Student at Indio High School