Do you really need that new laptop/phone/dress/jacket/etc.? Financial decisions require us to distinguish between our wants and our needs. Through discussion and the evaluation of scenarios on provided worksheets, this resource will allow your pupils to explore the practice of spending wisely and making smart choices.

Concepts

needs vs. wants, financial literacy, making decisions, saving money, opportunity cost, financial goals, personal finance

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Additional Tags

social studies

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Instructional Ideas

• Consider an additional discussion prompt asking class members to recall a time when saving money, or choosing a less fashionable option, turned out to work for the better in the long run

Classroom Considerations

• This is the eleventh lesson in a series of 22 designed to help young adults build a solid foundation of financial literacy

Pros

• Includes use of a modern song that students will enjoy
• Great lesson for introducing opportunity cost and wants vs. needs
• All activity sheets and answer keys included

Cons

• None

Common Core

SL.9-10.1.a SL.11-12.1.a