
Lesson
Categorizing Expenses Part 2
Summary
Housing and transportation aren't just line items—they swallow 50% to 70% of a typical budget. This lesson digs into the hidden costs of renting and the true cost of owning a car.
Bellringer: The $1,500 Lease Trap
- Project the apartment scenario; give 1–2 minutes to respond.
- Advance to reveal the trap — rent isn't the only housing cost.
Instruction
- Walk through major expenses, total cost of ownership, and move-in math.
- Use the Big Rocks and Iceberg analogies to anchor each concept.
Activity: Finance Summer Camp
- Students continue Finance Summer Camp gameplay.
Discussion: The Priority Auction
- Give students 3 tokens to spend on lifestyle upgrades.
- Volunteers share choices; debate which upgrade gets cut first.
Wrap-Up & Assessment
- Give one example of an upfront cost and one example of an ongoing cost of renting.
- Why should you buy renters insurance?
| Est. Time | Activity | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 5 min | Bellringer: The $1,500 Lease Trap |
|
| 10 min | Instruction |
|
| 20 min | Activity: Finance Summer Camp |
|
| 7 min | Discussion: The Priority Auction |
|
| 3 min | Wrap-Up & Assessment |
|
Lesson Prep

Finance Summer Camp
Students manage income, expenses, and savings at a simulated summer camp.
Class Presentation
Includes a 17-slide deck with teacher notes. Present from Banzai, download a PDF, or copy it to Google Slides.
Presentations, Ready to Go
- Built-in PresentationPresent full screen, straight from Banzai
- Copy to Google SlidesMake an editable copy for your class
- Download or PrintSave as a PDF or print
- Teacher NotesSlide-by-slide guidance, printable as one handout
Unit 4: Budget Basics

Categorizing Expenses Part 1
Variable expenses are the only lever you can pull when a budget gets tight—fixed costs barely budge. Explore how to sort everyday spending into fixed and variable buckets and spot the sneaky gray areas in between.

Categorizing Expenses Part 2
Housing and transportation aren't just line items—they swallow 50% to 70% of a typical budget. This lesson digs into the hidden costs of renting and the true cost of owning a car.

Tracking Money
Total cash flow isn't about how much you earn. Cash flow is about when the money moves. This lesson explores inflows, outflows, and the mid-month crash that leaves even smart earners broke.
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