-
- From: WebQuest Builders
- Contributed By: Judy Eisler
Introduction:
You and two of your high school friends are considering moving into your own living space after graduation. In order to do this you must know how much income you have and what your expenses will be. You will have to consider many things including where you will be living (renting a room/apartment/house), who you will be living with (alone or with roommate(s), and how you will get to work (purchasing a new/used car or another alternative). As the responsible young adults you are, each of you will create a budget based on your personal income to help you make sound decisions and manage your financial responsibilities associated with living on your own. In addition you and your friends will research various options for employment, housing, and transportation in order to make a final decision regarding living arrangements after graduation. You must live within your means.
The Task:
Through the following exercises you will flex your mental muscles as you discover what it will take to survive as an adult in the "real world."
You will:
To accomplish this task, you will complete the following steps:
1. Review the Pie Chart below to familiarize yourself with your budgeting guidelines.
2. Each member of your group will need to find a job. Be sure you are qualified
for the position you choose. Use the following links to aid you in your job search.
Career Builder
Monster
3. When you have found a job for which you are qualified:
a) print a job description to be included in your final presentation.
b) enter your wage information in the excel spreadsheet labeled Take Home Pay in order to calculate your monthly net income.
c) enter your Net Monthly Income in the Excel spreadsheet labeled Budget.
d) print and review your individual target budget amounts.
Use Excel Spreadsheet Link Below
4. After reviewing the information on your spreadsheet you will have an idea of how much each of you can afford to spend each month for rent and your other expenses. It is now time to start looking for affordable housing. One of you will research rooms to rent, one will research apartments to rent, and one will research houses to rent. Conduct a rental search based on the criteria you have chosen. The criteria should include: monthly rent, cost of utilities, location of rental, number of bedrooms, access to transportation, access to shopping, and any other amenities your group feels are important. Use the links below to find a rental property. Make sure to print pertinent information you discover during your research process to share with your friends and submit as part of your completed project.
Move
Apartment Guide Apartment Finder Apartment Search 5. Once you have completed your individual research meet with your friends to discuss which option best fits your budget and your needs. Bring the results of your research efforts so you can compare the options and choose the rental that fulfills your criteria. When your group comes to a consensus, compile the following cost data: monthly rent, projected utilities, cable, internet access. Use the links below to collect expense information. You will also need a print out of the rental you chose and a list of the reasons your group chose this particular rental. Renters Insurance Cable, Telephone, Internet
6. Enter monthly rent, utilities, and other related expenses into the Excel spreadsheet labeled Rental Expense. Use Excel Spreadsheet Link Below
person mustdecide if they are going to purchase a new car, purchase a used
Edmunds AutoTrader Philly Car Share Septa 8. After you have completed your research you will meet to compare information and discuss what each of you has decided.
9. Each of you will then enter the monthly transportation expenses associated with your choice into the Excel spreadsheet labeled Auto Expense. This spreadsheet displays a list of possible auto expenses. Include all expenses that apply to the type of transportation you have chosen. These may include insurance, gas, maintenance, repairs, loan payments, fares and/or fees. Use the links below to access information that is relevant to your mode of transportation. Gas Prices Mileage Calculator Car Insurance Auto Insurance
If you chose to purchase a new/used car of your dreams, you must also decide how you will pay for it. If you will be financing this purchase use the links below to access a loan calculator. Loan Calculator 10. At this point you should have: a) a budget based on the income you will receive from the employment you secured and all of the expenses listed in the spending guidelines b) a pie chart illustrating your ideal budget based on your income c) a pie chart illustrating your real budget based on your expenses, including rent and transportation
You will meet with your group one last time to create a five minute PowerPoint presentation to summarize the living arrangement you have chosen, why your group chose it, what the expenses are and how you plan to pay the expenses. Each of you will take part in the preparation and the presentation. Be clear and concise. Make your presentation engaging by including pictures, charts, and graphics to support your points.
11. To complete this project each of you will turn in a project report which will consist of a job description, information about your chosen living arrangement, details about your transportation and a copy of your budget. You will include both a summary of your experience of working with your group (address what your role was, any issues that arose and how you dealt with them, and how you came to agree on your living arrangements) and a reaction to this experience (was finding a job to pay your expenses challenging, was finding affordable housing and transportation as easy/hard as you imagined, did creating a budget help/hinder your efforts, are your financial expectations regarding "living on your own" different now that you have completed your project, and was this project helpful, why or why not). Your papers will each be a minimum of two (2) pages each, double spaced, 1" margins and 12 font. Be sure to include a bibliography listing the resources you used.
Evaluation:
Conclusion:
This Web Quest was designed to help you develop and follow a personal financial budget.
The process was designed to give you the opportunity to make real life decisions based on your budget.
It also introduces you to many resources that will be useful throughout your life.
At the end of this Web Quest you should be able to create a budget that will act as a financial guideline.
You will have general working knowledge of how Microsoft Excel can be used to help you compile and interpret financial data.
You will be able to use multiple resources including various websites to gather information which is used to compare consumer products.
You will review data on various options available to you and use that data to make an informed decision regarding which goods and services best suit your needs.
You will learn to collaborate with others to reach a common goal.
You will be able to create a simple Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
You will be able to give a short verbal presentation on your results in conjunction with your group.
You will be able to summarize your findings.
You will be able to react and share insight in relation to your experience.
Credits & References:
Our group would like to thank the creators of these webquest. We used these sites to compare our assignment to other projects like ours, and also we used some of the ideas proposed these projects to our own.
Standards:
NETS-S.5STANDARD: Technology research tools NETS-S.5.A> Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. NETS-S.5.B> Students use technology tools to process data and report results. NETS-S.5.C> Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks. PA.FACS.11.1.12STANDARD: Financial and Resource Management PA.FACS.11.1.12.C> Analyze the relationship among factors affecting consumer housing decisions (e.g., human needs, financial resources, location, legal agreements, maintenance responsibilities). PA.FACS.11.1.12.F> Compare and contrast the selection of goods and services by applying effective consumer strategies. PA.FACS.11.2.12.A> Justify solutions developed by using practical reasoning skills.
Required Attachments:
- Create a personal budget
- Compare costs and benefits of available consumer goods in order to select those that are appropriate for your needs
- Defend your choices by presenting data that supports your decisions
- Develop your ability to work as a team member
- Improve your research skills through the use of technology such as the internet
- Become familiar with Microsoft Programs: Word, Excel, and Powerpoint
- Expand your ideas by finding creative solutions
- Present a viable financial plan
- Prepare yourself to transition after your graduation
To accomplish this task, you will complete the following steps:
1. Review the Pie Chart below to familiarize yourself with your budgeting guidelines.
2. Each member of your group will need to find a job. Be sure you are qualified
for the position you choose. Use the following links to aid you in your job search.
Career Builder
Monster
3. When you have found a job for which you are qualified:
a) print a job description to be included in your final presentation.
b) enter your wage information in the excel spreadsheet labeled Take Home Pay in order to calculate your monthly net income.
c) enter your Net Monthly Income in the Excel spreadsheet labeled Budget.
d) print and review your individual target budget amounts.
Use Excel Spreadsheet Link Below
4. After reviewing the information on your spreadsheet you will have an idea of how much each of you can afford to spend each month for rent and your other expenses. It is now time to start looking for affordable housing. One of you will research rooms to rent, one will research apartments to rent, and one will research houses to rent. Conduct a rental search based on the criteria you have chosen. The criteria should include: monthly rent, cost of utilities, location of rental, number of bedrooms, access to transportation, access to shopping, and any other amenities your group feels are important. Use the links below to find a rental property. Make sure to print pertinent information you discover during your research process to share with your friends and submit as part of your completed project.
Move
Apartment Guide Apartment Finder Apartment Search 5. Once you have completed your individual research meet with your friends to discuss which option best fits your budget and your needs. Bring the results of your research efforts so you can compare the options and choose the rental that fulfills your criteria. When your group comes to a consensus, compile the following cost data: monthly rent, projected utilities, cable, internet access. Use the links below to collect expense information. You will also need a print out of the rental you chose and a list of the reasons your group chose this particular rental. Renters Insurance Cable, Telephone, Internet
6. Enter monthly rent, utilities, and other related expenses into the Excel spreadsheet labeled Rental Expense. Use Excel Spreadsheet Link Below
7. Now you need to decide how you will meet your transportation needs. Each
person mustdecide if they are going to purchase a new car, purchase a used
car, or use alternative
transportation (this includes public transportation, car share, car pool, rentals, ect). Becreative when meeting your transportation needs. As a group decide how you want to
conduct your research. Use the web sites listed below for your research.
Edmunds AutoTrader Philly Car Share Septa 8. After you have completed your research you will meet to compare information and discuss what each of you has decided.
9. Each of you will then enter the monthly transportation expenses associated with your choice into the Excel spreadsheet labeled Auto Expense. This spreadsheet displays a list of possible auto expenses. Include all expenses that apply to the type of transportation you have chosen. These may include insurance, gas, maintenance, repairs, loan payments, fares and/or fees. Use the links below to access information that is relevant to your mode of transportation. Gas Prices Mileage Calculator Car Insurance Auto Insurance
If you chose to purchase a new/used car of your dreams, you must also decide how you will pay for it. If you will be financing this purchase use the links below to access a loan calculator. Loan Calculator 10. At this point you should have: a) a budget based on the income you will receive from the employment you secured and all of the expenses listed in the spending guidelines b) a pie chart illustrating your ideal budget based on your income c) a pie chart illustrating your real budget based on your expenses, including rent and transportation
You will meet with your group one last time to create a five minute PowerPoint presentation to summarize the living arrangement you have chosen, why your group chose it, what the expenses are and how you plan to pay the expenses. Each of you will take part in the preparation and the presentation. Be clear and concise. Make your presentation engaging by including pictures, charts, and graphics to support your points.
11. To complete this project each of you will turn in a project report which will consist of a job description, information about your chosen living arrangement, details about your transportation and a copy of your budget. You will include both a summary of your experience of working with your group (address what your role was, any issues that arose and how you dealt with them, and how you came to agree on your living arrangements) and a reaction to this experience (was finding a job to pay your expenses challenging, was finding affordable housing and transportation as easy/hard as you imagined, did creating a budget help/hinder your efforts, are your financial expectations regarding "living on your own" different now that you have completed your project, and was this project helpful, why or why not). Your papers will each be a minimum of two (2) pages each, double spaced, 1" margins and 12 font. Be sure to include a bibliography listing the resources you used.
Evaluation:
| Beginning | Developing | Accomplished | Exemplary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analysis (1, 12%) | Student does not use sources from internet or other.. to fill out excel charts. Has a poor grasp on project and does not support decisions with research or calculations. | Student uses 1 to 2 sources from internet or other.. to successfully fill out excel charts. Has a good feel of project and supports decisions with research and calculations. | Students uses more than 2 sources off the internet or other.. to successfullly fill out excel charts. Has a great feel of the project and supports decisionss with research and calculations. | |
| Budget (1, 12%) | Student does not properly fill out budget sheet in the excel spread sheets. Student is not organized. Student did not live within thier means and ends the project with more expences than income. | Student fills out all some budget sheets in the excel spread sheets. Student is moderately organized. Student lived within thier means and ends the project with more income than expences. | Student successfully fills out all budget sheets in the excel spread sheets. Student is very organized. Students lived with in their means and ends the project with more income than expences. | |
| Presentation (1, 12%) | Student does ont have sources and spreadsheets ready for presentation. Student is not organized and portfolio is not ready on due date. | Student is missing some sources and spreadsheets. Student has a semi organized portfolio. Final portfolio is turned in on time. | Student has all sources and and spread sheets neatly organized in portfolio. Final portfolio is turned in on time. | |
| Transportaion (1, 12%) | Student have little to no research on any aspects of transportation such as gas, insurance, maintenance...etc. Student has no printed research done on project showing no work. | Student have 1 source in research on some aspects of transportation such as gas, insurance, maintenance...etc. Student prints out all research done on project to show work. | Student have 2 or more sources in research on all aspects of transportation such as gas, insurance, maintenance...etc. Students print out all research done on project to show work. | |
| Employment (1, 12%) | Student did not find job on the internet, and have nothing printed for job details. Student has no printed research showing work. | Student finds job on the internet, and prints out some of the job details. Student is qualified for job. Student prints out research on the job they chose. | Student finds job on the internet and print out all the job details. Student is qualified for job. Student prints out research on the job they chose. | |
| Housing (1, 12%) | Student have little to no research on housing situation. and no aspects of living arrangements. Student has no prined research proving they did any work on the project. | Student have some good research on housing situation, and only some aspects of living arrangements. Student has printed research proving the work they did for the project. | Student have outstanding research on housing situation, and all aspects of thier living arrangements. Student has printed research proving the work they did for the project. | |
| Bibliography (1, 12%) | Student uses incorrect bibliographic format to cite any sources used through out the project. | Student uses some correct bibliographic format to cite some sources used through out the project. | Student uses correct bibliographic format to cite all sources used through out the project. | |
| Working with Others (1, 12%) | Student does not work well with others, does little to no work to participate in group. | Student works well with other with some concerns, participates in group work. | Student works well with others, participate in group work. | |
Conclusion:
This Web Quest was designed to help you develop and follow a personal financial budget.
The process was designed to give you the opportunity to make real life decisions based on your budget.
It also introduces you to many resources that will be useful throughout your life.
At the end of this Web Quest you should be able to create a budget that will act as a financial guideline.
You will have general working knowledge of how Microsoft Excel can be used to help you compile and interpret financial data.
You will be able to use multiple resources including various websites to gather information which is used to compare consumer products.
You will review data on various options available to you and use that data to make an informed decision regarding which goods and services best suit your needs.
You will learn to collaborate with others to reach a common goal.
You will be able to create a simple Microsoft PowerPoint presentation.
You will be able to give a short verbal presentation on your results in conjunction with your group.
You will be able to summarize your findings.
You will be able to react and share insight in relation to your experience.
Credits & References:
Our group would like to thank the creators of these webquest. We used these sites to compare our assignment to other projects like ours, and also we used some of the ideas proposed these projects to our own.
Standards:
NETS-S.5STANDARD: Technology research tools NETS-S.5.A> Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources. NETS-S.5.B> Students use technology tools to process data and report results. NETS-S.5.C> Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness for specific tasks. PA.FACS.11.1.12STANDARD: Financial and Resource Management PA.FACS.11.1.12.C> Analyze the relationship among factors affecting consumer housing decisions (e.g., human needs, financial resources, location, legal agreements, maintenance responsibilities). PA.FACS.11.1.12.F> Compare and contrast the selection of goods and services by applying effective consumer strategies. PA.FACS.11.2.12.A> Justify solutions developed by using practical reasoning skills.
Required Attachments:
| IncomeSpreadsheet.xlsx |
