1. The Game of Life— My Personal Economic Plan
Quarter Project

2. This project is worth 50% of your quarter grade!
You will be creating a personal economic plan by exploring various career paths, housing markets, colleges, investments, and more!
The entire project is due on the last day before exams!
Your project must be bound and typed when you turn it in!
You must write in complete sentences!
I won’t be able to grade late projects at all!!

3. 5 Parts to the Project! Part 1: Finding a Job—is college worth it?
Part 2: Creating a Budget—where am I going to live and what am I going to eat?
Part 3: Create a Savings Plan—getting what I want!
Part 4: Credit Cards & More—understanding the fine print!
Part 5: Paying Taxes—Uncle Sam wants his cut.

4. Reminder:
There are 5 parts! You will need to start a new page for each part
Title it with the number and title
Each part is worth 100 points for a total of 500 points
You will need to label each step

5. Part 1: Finding a Job—is college worth it? (100 points)
Step 1: Read and answer questions 30 points

6. Part 1: Finding a Job—is college worth it?
Step 2: Finding a Job ( 35 points)
Fill in the chart
Answer the questions about the jobs you found

7. Part 1: Finding a Job—is college worth it?
Step 3: Finding a college or trade school (35 points)
Find 3 schools that interest you.
Fill in a chart
Answer the questions about education requirements

8. Part 2: Creating a Budget—where am I going to live and what am I going to eat?
Fill in a budget plan 50 points

9. Annual Spending (Living Expenses)
SAMPLE of the CHART
EXAMPLE
Job #1—no college or experience needed
Job #2—Bachelor’s Degree needed
Job #3—Dream Job
Annual Income/ Gross Income (before taxes)
$36,000
Less income taxes, Social Security, & Medicare -$
Net Annual income (take-home pay)
$27,703.30
Annual Spending (Living Expenses)
Housing (Apartment Rent, Mortgage, etc). You need to attach the actual apartment or housing listing to your report.
$12,000 ($1000/ month)
Utilities and Cable TV
Find out how much cable is for a year? List the website or ad that you found your amount from.
$600
Cell Phone Find out how much for a cell phone a year?
List the website or ad that you found your amount from.
Don’t forget to attach the ad!

10. Part 2: Creating a Budget—where am I going to live and what am I going to eat?
Step 2: Answer the follow up questions about your budget 50 points

11. Part 3: Create a Savings Plan—getting what I want! 100 points total
Step 1: Answer questions about a savings plan 25 points

12. Part 3: Create a Savings Plan—getting what I want! 100 points
Step 2: Interview 1 adult (75 points):
Can be in person or over phone. Don’t interview your parents, find someone with one of the jobs you chose
Survey the adult about their savings plans—Include your results in your final report (25 points of the 75).
Type up the responses to your questions

13. Part 4: Credit Cards & More—understanding the fine print! 100 points
Step 1: Answer questions about credit and credit cards 15 points

14. Part 4: Credit Cards & More—understanding the fine print! 100 points
Step 2: Finding a credit card (35 points):
Go online and find 3 different credit cards.
They must be from three different banks
Note the cards interest rates, late fees, annual fees, and fees for cash advances

15. Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Credit Card
Annual Percentage Rate (APR)
Late Payment APR (What does the APR change to if you don’t pay on time?)
Finance Charge
Late Payment Fee
Fees for Cash Advances 1. 2. 3.

16. Part 4: Credit Cards & More—understanding the fine print! 100 points
Step 3: Credit Scavenger Hunt (50 points):
Find the answers/definitions to the questions/terms

17. Part 5: Paying Taxes—Uncle Sam wants his cut!
Step 1: Fill out a tax form (100 points)
You will get the form later…
We will do this in class