Lesson 1.  REAL LIFE or Wants vs needs = 10 minutes  (Placard #3)

Facilitator: “The first Lesson is called ‘REAL LIFE’”  Now that you have a job, what are you going to spend your money on?  Please raise your hand if you have an answer.”

[Students list items and facilitator makes a list (10 to 20 items) on Placard #3.] (= 2 minutes)

[Facilitator can help the students by asking more specific questions: What about food?  Shelter?  Clothes?]

After there are about 10-20 items in the list, the Facilitator will ask the class: “Do you really need all these things?  Are some more important than others?  Which items are the most important?” (3 minutes)  Facilitator circles the items from the list that will fall under the “Need” category (food, shelter, clothes, soap, etc)

(Facilitator can rephrase the question: “What are the things that you must have to survive?”)

Facilitator: “So it seems we’ve got two categories here: things we Need, and everything else. What’s the difference between the two?” (The class tries to answer this = 2 minutes) 

(Placard #4)      A NEED is something that you have to have.

                           A WANT is something you would like to have.

Facilitator: “What’s the difference between Wants and Needs?  Can we all read this together please?”

Pay Day # 1

Facilitator: “OK, That’s the end of Lesson 1 and it’s payday and everyone’s earned $800.  BUT before you get paid, you’ve got to pay for your NEEDS

(Placard #5)         Taxes = $200

Rent = $200

Food and Personal Expenses = $200.

“Sorry, but your take home pay is only $200, and that’s why the first lesson is called REAL LIFE.”