Here are 3 QuickStart lessons that I like to use with my classes to introduce some of the fundamentals of money with our Budgeting Game. Each lesson will require the player to play at least one “virtual month” in the game which will take approximately 20 mins. Further time can be taken to do research and answer questions.
Lesson 1.
Here is a great lesson to start teaching the basics of money: In order to learn the value of money, students need to distinguish between a need and a want and what alternative choices they have through opportunity cost.
Needs and Wants
Activity:
Students will play the game for 1 virtual month and complete the table below. For every expense that they make, the student must write down a description, the amount that they paid, whether it is a need, a want and what they could buy instead. Once they have done this, they can look at opportunity cost and list what the cost or benefit is to choosing the alternative.
Description | Cost ($) | Need? | Want? | Alternative | Opportunity Cost |
Lesson 2.
Using a Credit Card and your Credit Score: Students swipe their credit card with very little understanding of the consequences. Here the student will learn what happens when they use their credit card and not pay the bill on time.
Credit Card and Credit Score
Activity:
Students will play the Budgeting Game for 1 virtual month. The student will firstly take notice of their credit score. Then roll the dice to start the game and compete a virtual month. In that time the student will purchase everything that is offered to them on their credit card. They must not repay back any monies spent. At the beginning of the next round, the student must check their Credit Score and look at their Credit Card Statement and provide a summary of the consequences of not paying off their credit card. A follow up lesson could be the steps to improving their Credit Score.
Lesson 3.
Net Worth is often a common misunderstood term and people believe that everything they have goes towards their Net Worth and not what is solely theirs. There is an old joke: Why is there a drive thru at the bank? So, the car gets to meet its owner.
Activity: Net Worth
Students play the Budgeting Game for 2 virtual months. In that time, they should observe their Net Worth which is calculated by adding the Checking Account + Savings Account minus Debt (Credit Cards).
We hope you like this. If you do try any of these lessons, let us know how your students got on. Also, do check out our library of lessons that are available. Any feedback is welcome and if you like what we are doing, please share with others and follow us on social media.
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