In this 20-minute budgeting activity, students in Grades 8–11 take on the role of a post-secondary student balancing part-time earnings, student loan funding and family support. Working individually or in pairs, they distinguish needs from wants, identify fixed and variable expenses, and make tough choices to build a realistic monthly budget. Students explain their decisions and consider how emergency savings fit into their priorities.

Includes printable and editable student worksheets, plus a teacher guide with sample budgets and discussion prompts. Allow additional time for introduction and debrief.