Living Within Your Means

A WebQuest for 9th-12th Grade (Mathematics, Language Arts)

Designed by

Mrs. K. King
king.kristin@brevardschools.org

*Updated Links*

Introduction | Task | Process | Evaluation | Conclusion | Credits | Teacher Page

Introduction

How in the world are you going to make it on your own? The thought is scary at times. You have made the decision to finally move out and live on your own.  What will you do now? 
You  will use the internet to gather information to make your move successful. This will help you plan the amount of time, money and experience you will need to achieve your goals of independence.
 

 

The Task

The requirements for your budget is fairly simple to understand.  I want you to use the Internet to gather information on job resources, apartments, transportation, education and financial planning.  There are specific guidelines for your budget which we will get to later, but the important thing is that you plan your  budget as realistically as possible, and that you take care of the details.  Your findings should include, but are not limited to:

	Job
	Education
	Transportation
	Balanced Budget

A more detailed list of requirements are in the Process section below.

 

The Process

You must choose a job that is within your qualifications.  Apartment and transportation  must be within your working budget.  This means that the budget must be realistic, income must be greater than or equal to your expenses, never the reverse! Use the spending guidelines below to help balance your budget.

	Find a Job - has to be within your qualifications
	Find transportation
	Find a place to live
	Create a balanced budget
	Find checking account
	Decide if you will further your education
	Make note of your resources on the Web
	Email me with your balanced budget proposal

 

 

Evaluation

Your progress will be determined upon your ability to carry out the tasks above successfully and realistically.  Your ability to function in the "real world" will be assessed by the depth of your results in your budget.  The object is to be as real to life as possible, where you can actually use this plan later in life if you choose.
 

	Beginning 1	Developing 2	Accomplished 3	Exemplary 4	Score
Ability to fill out a job application with all necessary information and find employment	Student has an application but it's still on the desk.	Student has read and filled out the application correctly	Student has filled out application correctly and returned it to the employer (teacher) with resume attached.	You have been interviewed and hired for a job within your qualifications.
Ability to find a place to live within your budget	You have searched the Internet for suitable places to live within your budget.	You have narrowed your search to several suitable places to live in the community within your budget.	You have found your dream apartment that is within your budget and you're ready to rent.	You have rented your apartment and  balanced your budget well enough with  money left over for utilities and food.
Ability to find transportation within  your means	You have consulted the newspaper for transportation that fits your budget.	You have searched newspapers and the Internet for suitable transportation within your budget.	You have located  transportation that is within your budget and you're ready to purchase it.	You have reliable transportation to get to and from work within your budget.
Ability to create and use a balanced budget	You have constructed a graph or plan for your budget that is realistic.	You have prepared a budget using your projected income from your new job.	You have prepared a realistic budget with information that includes your income and expenses in detail.	You have created a budget plan that allows you to live within your means and have money available for savings.
Ability to write checks for bills and balance a check book correctly	You are able to write a check correctly.	You are able to write a check and keep good records of transactions.	You are able to manage your checkbook receipts and keep a positive balance in your account at all times.	You are able to do the things in the last two columns plus read and interpret your bank statement and balance the checking account at the end of the month.

Conclusion

You will learn the importance of planning for your future.  You will learn how to search for the right job, apartment, transportation and budget that are all right for you.  Keep in mind that your education level is a key factor in the kind of job that you are able to obtain.

Credits & References

Here are some links to resources that might be useful in your search.  Any web sites that you find that are suitable for this assignment can be submitted via email for the use of future students.
 

Apartments
Career Guides
Check Writing/ Training
Job interview info
Jobs online; Online job applications

Money Instructor
Online Banking
Personal budgeting
Publix
Resume Tips 
What are you worth
 

Worksheets/templates

Checkbook basics
Job Interview Script
Family Budget Template

Money Instructor
Sample Job Application

http://www.cfcministry.org
http://www.personalbudgeting.com/sample.html
http://school.discovery.com/clipart/index.html
http://www.itrc.ucf.edu/k12db/
http://www.humanitees.com/
http://www.sunlink.ucf.edu - Hurwitz, Jane.  High performance through effective budgeting, 1st ed., Pub. New York : Rosen Pub. Group, 1996
WebCT

Thanks go out to all the Internet resources  that made the research and completion of this project possible.  I also want to recognize my children, Stuart, Amanda and Amber, for giving me the inspiration and urgency to compile this information in an effort to help all children succeed in life skills.
 

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Based on a template from The WebQuest Page