Household Decision Scenario Cards
Used in: Week 4 (The Household Economy)
These cards support the needs vs. wants sorting activity, household budget exercise, and surprise expense simulation. Print, cut, and distribute as needed.
Needs vs. Wants Sorting Cards
Cut apart and have students sort into three piles: Need, Want, or It Depends.
| Card | Item |
|---|---|
| 🍎 | Groceries for the week |
| 🏠 | Rent or mortgage payment |
| 💡 | Electricity bill |
| 👕 | A basic winter coat |
| 🎮 | A new video game |
| 🍦 | Ice cream from a shop |
| 🚌 | Bus pass to get to school |
| 📱 | The newest smartphone |
| 👟 | A pair of shoes (only pair is worn out) |
| 👟 | A second pair of trendy sneakers |
| 📚 | School supplies |
| 🎬 | Movie tickets for the weekend |
| 💧 | Clean drinking water |
| 🎂 | A birthday cake |
| 🧸 | A new toy |
| 🚗 | Gas for the family car (used to drive to work) |
| 📶 | Internet service |
| ✈️ | A vacation trip |
| 🐕 | Dog food (family has a dog) |
| 🎨 | Art class registration |
Many of these cards are deliberately ambiguous. "Internet service" might be a need for a family where a parent works from home, but more of a want for entertainment purposes. Use the discussion to help learners see that context matters — the same item can be a need or a want depending on the situation.
Household Budget Sheet
Print one per student. The scenario: A family has $100 for the week. They must decide how to divide it.
My Household Budget
| Category | Description | My Amount |
|---|---|---|
| 🍎 Food | Groceries for the week | $ ______ |
| 🏠 Housing | Rent or mortgage portion | $ ______ |
| 💡 Utilities | Electricity, water, internet | $ ______ |
| 🚌 Transportation | Gas, bus fare, or car costs | $ ______ |
| 💰 Savings | Money set aside for the future | $ ______ |
| 🎮 Entertainment | Fun activities, games, treats | $ ______ |
| Total | Must equal $100 | $ ______ |
Reflection questions (answer on the back):
- Which category got the most money? Why?
- Which category was hardest to decide on?
- If you had to cut $10, where would it come from?
Surprise Expense Cards
After students finalize their budgets, draw one card and read it aloud. Students must adjust their budgets to cover the surprise cost.
Cut along the lines. Shuffle and draw one at random.
| 🚗 Car Trouble | The family car needs an emergency repair. Cost: $15 |
|---|
| 🤒 Sick Day | Someone in the family gets sick and needs medicine. Cost: $8 |
|---|
| 🎒 School Supply Emergency | A required school project needs supplies by tomorrow. Cost: $6 |
|---|
| 🌧️ Rainy Day Disaster | A window leak damages some books and clothes. Cost: $12 |
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| 🐕 Pet Emergency | The family pet needs an unexpected vet visit. Cost: $10 |
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| 🏠 Appliance Breakdown | The family's toaster breaks and needs replacing. Cost: $7 |
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| 🎁 Surprise Invitation | A close friend invites the family to a birthday party — they need a gift. Cost: $5 |
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| 🚌 Transportation Problem | The bus pass expired early. New fare needed for the week. Cost: $8 |
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Tradeoff Discussion Cards
Read one card aloud and ask: "What would you choose, and why? What do you give up?"
| Card | Choice A | Choice B |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Go out to eat this weekend ($15) | Cook at home and save the $15 |
| 2 | Buy a new game ($12) | Save the $12 toward a bigger purchase |
| 3 | Get the name-brand shoes ($40) | Get the basic shoes ($20) and keep $20 |
| 4 | Sign up for art class ($10/month) | Use free art supplies at home |
| 5 | Buy snacks at the store ($5) | Bring snacks from home ($0) |
| 6 | Replace the broken umbrella now ($8) | Wait and hope it does not rain |
There are no right answers. The goal is to notice that every choice involves a tradeoff and that different families in different situations would make different decisions — and that is completely normal.