Unit
How to Budget
Students build and manage a budget that covers their expenses and prepares them for emergencies.
Lessons
A budget isn't a restriction—it's a plan. This lesson introduces needs vs. wants, net pay, and a planning mindset through scenario-based discussion and a life simulation.
Rent stays the same after a bad month—the grocery bill doesn't. This lesson teaches students to classify expenses as fixed or variable and launches the Life Scenarios budgeting simulation.
Most people underestimate housing and transportation costs, but together they can consume 70% of an adult's budget. This lesson breaks down upfront and ongoing costs of renting, total cost of car ownership, and trade-offs that define financial stability.
An emergency fund is the primary defense against debt. This lesson explores how to calculate emergency fund targets, define liquidity, and distinguish emergencies from emotional wants.
The best budget is the one you actually keep. This lesson compares four budgeting methods—50/30/20, zero-based, envelope, and reverse budgeting.
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