(Objective 3: Practice balancing personal income and expenses.)

• Budget Poster (one for each group)
• Markers (dry erase if poster is laminated)
• Instructor Materials: Spending Plan Receipts (for each group print, cut apart and put in envelope)
• Calculators for participants’ use.

Before session: Make enough budget posters (laminate if possible) to have small groups (4-5 participants) work together on a budget/spending plan. Print sample receipts and place in an envelope for each group.

Divide participants into groups and instruct them to use the receipts to complete the budget poster categorizing the expenses. Then total each category on the poster.

When all groups are done, discuss the following questions:

• Does this person have enough money for housing?
• Are there areas where they could cut back expenses?
• Could they increase their income?