Can you live on a fixed budget?

In pairs ("roomates"), the teacher will allow the students to choose a job and then the teacher will assign each student their salary. With this monthly salary, students will be asked to use newspaper ads and other resources to locate a place to rent. They will also have to calculate the cost of utilities, food, and entertainment. Other deductions in their budget could include car payements and insurance, pet care, etc.

Students will research costs and present a spreadsheet of their monthly and yearly expenses. If technology is a focus, students could use spreadsheet software, or for a math focus, create a paper version in which all mathematical calulations would be done by the studnets.

The expectation is that all students will be able to realistically live within their means.

This lesson allows for emmense flexibility and therefore is appropriate for diverse grade levels or even differentiation amongst one grade level.