1. How Would You Spend
$300?
Personal Finance Lesson: How
does your spending reflect your
values?

2. Find a partner and discuss the
following questions:
 1. What were the last three purchases you
personally have made?
 2. Why did you make these purchases?

3. Your situation:
In high school, you work a part time
job and earn $300 a month while
your parents still pay for your basic
needs.
 You must decide how you will spend your
money for 4 weeks.
 Allocate, or assign for a purpose, your
money from the following options.

4. Expense Options:
Entertainment/Food
Transportation  Music - $15/CD
 Car - $250 (includes  Computer Games -
insurance, gas, etc)
$50/game
 Public Transportation -  Movies $10 ticket
$50
 Movie/Game Rental - $3
Clothing  Restaurant - $15/visit
 Designer - $150  Fast Food - $7/visit
 Bargain Brands - $50  Eat at home – free
Charity - Local  Hang with friends – free
organization that helps
others. You decide the
amount. Save - You decide the
amount.

5. Allocate your $300 and answer the following
questions on the back of your worksheet.
 What is the one thing on the list you would keep as a
priority to buy if you had this set monthly income? Why?
 Were most of your spending choices based on status (to
look good), savings (have money later), personal
preference, or something else?
 Would you save any of the money? If so, what is the goal?
If not, how would an emergency affect your budget?
 What impact would a rise in cost of one of these items have
on your decision to purchase this particular item? Would
you change your spending choices?