Spending scenarios

Updated Sep 13, 2024

Students consider everyday spending decisions by working through real-world scenarios.

Big idea

People face spending decisions every day.

Essential questions

What criteria do people use when they make spending decisions?
How is my financial decision-making process different from others?

Objectives

Explore criteria for making spending decisions
Understand the role of spending in their lives

What students will do

Make spending decisions based on scenarios.
Decide whether to agree or disagree with other students’ spending decisions.

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Teacher guide

cfpb_building_block_activities_spending-scenarios_guide.pdf

cfpb_building_block_activities_ejemplos-de-gastos_guia.pdf

Note: Please remember to consider your students’ accommodations and special needs to ensure that all students are able to participate in a meaningful way.

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Key information for this activity

Building block

(What are the building blocks?)

Financial habits and norms
Financial knowledge and decision-making skills

Topic

Spend (Budgeting, Buying things)

School subject

CTE (Career and technical education), Fine arts and performing arts, Social studies or history

Audience

Grade level: High school (9-10), High school (11-12)

Age range: 13-15, 16-19

Student characteristics: English language learners, Special education, Low income, Rural, Urban

Activity characteristics

Activity type: Individual, Small group, Available in Spanish

Teaching strategy: Cooperative learning

Bloom’s Taxonomy level: Understand, Apply

Activity duration: 15-20 minutes

National standards

(What are the national standards? )

Standards: II. Spending

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