F1.3 Create, track, and adjust sample budgets designed to meet longer-term financial goals for various scenarios.

Activity 1: Creating a Budget


To replenish the community's food bank, a group of students decide to hold two fundraising events to purchase non-perishable food items and personal care products. The students raise $196 in the first event and $389 in the second event. Knowing that there should be no money left over at the end of the event and that there are no fixed expenses, create a budget to replenish the community's food bank. Have students make their predictions and then calculate the actual amounts using the weekly flyers.

Activity 2: Adjusting a Budget


Present students with the following situation:

Fanni has created her budget for March, but unfortunately she just received an email saying that there will be a $3 increase in her monthly subscription to her music app for her phone, starting next month.

Fanni's March Budget

Revenues

Dog-sitting for my neighbour

$70

Household chores for my grandparents

$80

Total:

$150

Fixed Expenses

Cell phone

$65

Subscription to a music application

$15

Lunch at school

$35

Total:

$115

Variable Expenses

Outing to the amusement park

$20

Convenience store outing

$15

Total:

$35

Balance

$0

Ask students the following questions:

  • What changes could she make to her budget, knowing that she wants to maintain a balanced budget (revenues exceed expenses)?
  • How could she achieve her goal? Explain your reasoning.